The Governing Council of the Cabildo of Lanzarote has approved in its session this Monday the definitive granting of more than one million euros aimed at the fishing sector of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, in its 2024 financial year. In the lines of support granted by the Institution chaired by Oswaldo Betancort, incentives have been established for the first time specifically aimed at the purchase of boats for the renewal of the fleet, support that is added to that received by the associative legal entities of the sector.
Specifically, the Island Institution has given the green light to the final resolution of granting two lines of aid: some subsidies are destined to the operating and investment expenses of the associative legal entities of the fishing sector of the island of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, that is, guilds, fishing associations and Optuna, for an amount of 435,183 euros. In addition, the Island Government Council has also signed the final resolution for an amount of 634,900 euros for the granting of the new subsidies in a competitive concurrence regime aimed at covering the purchases of boats made by professional fishermen from Lanzarote and La Graciosa during the past year.
The Councilor for Fisheries of the Cabildo of Lanzarote, Samuel Martín, explained the importance of "renewing the promotion of our artisanal fishing industry", and introducing new lines of economic support that serve "to strengthen the sector". Martín clarified that with more than one million euros "we support the sector's transition towards sustainable fishing, always within the framework of the Common Fisheries Policy. Artisanal fishing is an income-generating activity, while providing a high-quality local product that is highly appreciated by the population as a whole," he explains.
Generational change and gender perspective
For the purchase of fishing vessels, the Cabildo of Lanzarote has granted up to 50% of the subsidy. Thus, for vessels less than or equal to 10 meters in total length, a limit of 35,000 euros was set; and for vessels of more than 10 meters in total length there was a limit of 50,000 euros. If you are a young fisherman/woman, the subsidy granted will be increased by 10%.
Regarding aid to fishing entities for their current expenses and investments in first sale points, the Ministry of Fisheries has focused on supporting the investments of the guilds in equipment, considering as such the inventoryable movable property and, where appropriate, the repair of the same as long as it requires such replacement. Support is also given to the ordinary operation of the guilds: those current expenses such as electricity, water, telephone or expendable office supplies.
These aids granted by the Cabildo have specifically subsidized the generational change in the sector and, likewise, have affected the gender perspective.