Recreational rod fishing in Fuerteventura

The waters that surround Fuerteventura are home to a very varied fauna and excellent gastronomic quality. The richness of the fish and shellfish that we find on our coastline has been, since the arrival of the first settlers, one of the main sources of food for the inhabitants of the island. 

The idiosyncrasy of Fuerteventura cannot be understood without the ancient fishing tradition. This activity is highly regulated, both nationally and internationally. At the end of the 20th century, the bases that regulate recreational fishing were established in our country.

Recreational fishing in Fuerteventura 

Recreational fishing is that non-commercial fishing activity that exploits living aquatic resources for recreational leisure purposes, thus, the sale or transaction of the catches obtained is prohibited. 

Within the activity, there are three modalities:

 – Fishing from boat. 

– Underwater fishing 

– Fishing from land. 

As with shellfishing, to carry out recreational fishing you also have to have the corresponding authorization or administrative license.

If you want to obtain the recreational fishing license you can do it online (through the following link) or in person at the Cabildo de Fuerteventura (C/. Lucha canaria, nº 112. Puerto del Rosario).

Rod fishing regulations in Fuerteventura. 

Rod fishing can be done from land or from a boat. The maximum amount of authorized fishing in inland waters is limited to 5 kg per person per day, in several pieces or in a single piece of greater weight. 

From land, a maximum of two rigs, pole or line, are allowed per license, with up to three hooks on each. They may have weights or corks and bait or lure, but electrical or electronic devices or elements whose purpose is to attract or concentrate fishing may not be used. 

Each rigging, from the same owner, must be at a maximum distance of 3 meters.

Restrictions and prohibitions:

•  It is not allowed to “fatten” with animals or substances that contain blood or toxic products. 
•  Capture or use as lure protected species, prohibited or smaller than the established size. 
• Species caught accidentally, that are prohibited or that do not reach the authorized size or weight, must be immediately returned to the sea. 
•  Use unauthorized gear and tools, especially those intended for professional fishing. – Use explosives, toxic, paralyzing, narcotic, poisonous, corrosive or polluting substances. 
• Use lights and electrical or electronic equipment to attract, concentrate, stun or reduce the natural reaction capacity of the species being captured.
• Fishing in duly defined areas for bathing or for any water sport, as well as in aquaculture farms. In surface recreational fishing, fishing is prohibited within 150 meters of bathing areas. Also from a diver who is there before and who is correctly marked.

Species that are prohibited to fish: 

One of the species whose capture is prohibited is the angel shark or angelfish (Squatina squatina). This harmless animal is easily identifiable by its wide and thick body, similar to rays, and its characteristic shark tail. It is usual to see them on sandy beaches sheltered from sea currents. 

Angel shark populations have declined dramatically in most of their natural habitat. For this reason, it is classified as an endangered species and extreme precautions must be taken when fishing in areas where this species may inhabit.

They are also totally prohibited from capturing: 

Eel (Anguilla anguilla), Spiny Drummer (Chilomycterus atringa), Ground Sprouts, (Gaidropsarus guttatus), Brindle Murion, (Gymnothorax bacalladoi), Spotted Moray Eel (Gymnothorax miliaris), Seahorse (Hippocampus hippocampus), Captain Rosemary (Labrus bergylta), American Snapper (Lutjanus goreensis), Black Corvina (Sciaena umbra).

Minimum sizes: 

Fuerteventura has approximately 265 km of coastline. Unlike most of the other islands in the Canary archipelago, Fuerteventura’s coastline is generally low and beaches are frequent. 

The island has a great diversity of areas to fish. On the north face the coast is low. It is made up of rocky arms and small coves, usually with a sandy edge. To the east and southeast, the large beaches of light sand stand out, while to the south, the succession of coves, small beaches and low cliffs, which usually rise without leaving intertidal level, are more abundant.

In each area some species are more abundant than others. 

Here is a list of the most common species to fish in Fuerteventura with their minimum catch size. 

• The minimum size of whitecap (Serranus cabrilla and Serranus atricauda) is 15 cm.
• The Cachucho (Dentex macrophtalmus) in the Canary Islands is called antoñito, calé or tooth and its minimum catch size is 18 cm. 
• The Chopa or Negron (Spondyliosoma cantharus) must measure at least 19 cm. 
• The minimum size of mackerel (Scomber colias) will be 20 cm. 
• The size of the haddock or pollock (Mycteroperca fusca) will be at least 35 cm. 
• Horse mackerel or horse mackerel (Trachurus trachurus) 15 cm.
• La Vieja (Sparisoma cretense) is one of the most characteristic species of the Canary Islands. The minimum catch size is 20 cm. 
• The Morraja (Diplodus vulgaris) in the Canary Islands is called seifia or seifio, they must measure at least 22 cm. 
• The samas, serrudas or males (Dentex gibosus) will have to be at least 35 cm long so as not to be returned to the sea. 
• Red mullets (Mullus surmuletus and Mullus barbatus) will be at least 15 cm. 
• The grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) 45 cm. 
• The pandora (Pagellus erytrinus) 22 cm. 
• The bocinegro (Pagrus pagrus) 33 cm.
•  Salemas (Sarpa salpa) 24 cm. 
• Sargo(Diplodus sargus) of 22 cm. 
• Breams (Pagellus acarne) 12 cm.

Sanctions: 

In case of violating the regulations on fishing in Fuerteventura, the law establishes different types of sanctions, such as warning, fine, and confiscation of products. Regarding the fines, the following range is established: 

1. Minor offenses from 60 to 300 Euros 2. 
2. Serious offenses from 301 to 60,000 Euros 
3. 3. Very serious offenses from 60,001 to 300,000 Euros. 

For the calculation of sanctions, a general criterion is followed, where aspects such as intentionality and recidivism are considered.

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