Lobos - only 200 visitors at the same time

[el caballo hambriento]

Does anyone have any news about how the quota system is working out?  This seems to have gone quiet.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

From RTVAC today:

The Cabildo did not include as urgent two AM-CC initiatives on visits to Lobos and the situation of the tourism sector
The Plenary Session of the Fuerteventura Council did not include in the section of Urgency Affairs, and therefore could not be discussed, two initiatives presented by the AM-CC group regarding the streamlining of procedures to make effective the increase in the number of visitors on the islet of Lobos, and the start-up of a working group in the face of the evolution of the tourist situation on the Island.

Both initiatives were registered in advance by AM-CC for processing as Urgency Issues, taking into account the need to expedite them because the next ordinary plenary session of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura is not scheduled until the end of September, almost two months later. But they could not be debated by not being included in the Agenda for the Cabildo. From AM-CC, however, your application is already urged.

Lobos island

The Strategic Environmental Commission for Plans and Programs of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura issued a favourable report since last May 9 on the modification of the Visitor Reception Capacity of the islet of Lobos, which was then published in the Official Gazette of the Province.

The purpose of this is the modification of the so-called Visitor Reception Capacity, up to now set 200 people simultaneously, that is 400 people a day. In the report, drawn up from the studies included in the so-called ‘Simplified Environmental Assessment’, the ‘Alternative 1’ proposal is considered que Proposal ’which sets the number of daily visitors around 869 people.

Therefore, from AM-CC it is considered urgent, and hence the initiative, to give instructions to continue with the necessary administrative procedures so that this report is materialized in a definitive authorization so that the Cabildo can begin to apply its conclusions and thus Expand the number of visitors.

Tourist situation

AM-CC also proposed another initiative for the creation of a permanent working group, with which to monitor and plan responses to the evolution of tourism that we have been registering.

This situation is reflected in the visitor arrival balances (the most recent INE known last week, points to an 8'7% decline in foreign tourism during the month of June); but especially with the price drop. In addition to the reduction in performance in the majorera economy and its foreseeable impact on the degradation of working conditions.

All this, together with the lack of agility in the management of improvement projects, the closure of tourist establishments, doubts about proposals for new taxation on the activity, or the disappearance of air connections. And even with the stoppage of improvement investments announced for years, or the shortcomings in foreign promotion, etc., they warn us that or we react immediately with clear, direct and effective measures, or drift can go much worse in the coming months and years.

What is therefore considered is to set up a working group integrating representatives from all the sectors involved (administrations, workers, businessmen, social groups) and guided by specialists, including the two Canarian public universities, to define a schedule with actions that allow to raise a reaction.

The urgency was also justified because there are no forecasts of new ordinary plenary sessions until the end of September, and the situation of uncertainty in the sector may increase.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from RTVAC:

FOLLOW-UP COMMITTEE OF THE MINOR MODIFICATION OF THE RECTOR PLAN FOR USE AND MANAGEMENT OF THE NATURAL PARK OF THE ISLAND OF Lobos (F-1) FOR INI-CIAL APPROVAL, WE GIVE GREEN LIGHT TO THE MODIFICATION OF THE CAPACITY OF HIMSELF.

Today, the Monitoring Commission for the minor modification of the PRUG of the Islote de Lobos Natural Park has been held, in relation to its Reception Capacity. With representatives of the State, the Government of the Canary Islands and different areas of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura. With the next agenda

1. Takes into consideration the new members of the Monitoring Committee after the change of legislature

2. Proposed Schedule or anticipated processing deadlines, so that at the beginning of next year it is finally approved.

3. Considers procedural milestones so far.

4. Document for the Initial Approval of the Minor Modification of the Master Plan for the Use and Management of the Islote de Lobos Natural Park.

As for the document, it was being processed and already has the favorable pronouncement of the Insular Environmental Body. This procedure is adapted to the new Law 4/2017, of July 13, on the Soil and Protected Natural Areas of the Canary Islands, also had a delay until the Insular Environmental body was established, submitting the initial procedure that was done. After this process the document has already been prepared, after the public information phase, the proposal for the document for initial approval.

Today in the Monitoring Committee, some appreciations and suggestions have been incorporated by the representative of the Land Management of the Canary Islands Government, agreeing to incorporate them into the document. What will mean a small adjustment of the same, in essence.

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Things they are a changing:

From RTVAC

The Cabildo implements a new authorization request system for access to the Lobos Islet through the 'Lobos Pass' WebApp.

It allows a more efficient management of natural areas, placing the island at the height of the future of Smart territories

The Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, Circular Economy and R & D & I of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, with the sights set on long-term sustainability, implements a new technological model of use and management of natural spaces through the Creation of a WebAPP to request authorizations for access to the Islote de Lobos Natural Park called 'Lobos Pass', being developed by MNX Online, a majorera technology company, awarded in 2019 internationally for its sustainable and intelligent mobility project. The application will be active throughout this week.

The conservation of this protected natural space requires a new management model, gradually implementing efficient and real-time tools, typical of intelligent regions that provide solutions to the current shortcomings for the preservation and the fight against climate change.

The implementation of this type of tools is a clear example of the technological potential offered by the island of Fuerteventura, and the global digital transformation that exists today.

From the insular department, a participatory process has also been initiated with the different agents involved, among which the operators and users of the WebApp stand out, so that they make the appropriate contributions in order to incorporate them into the final version of the same in order to offer A more efficient, effective and sustainable service.

The technology used in this web application gathers the best of the combination between traditional websites and mobile applications, resulting in a lightweight tool that works in areas of poor coverage, accessible from the browser of any device and installable in mobile terminals.

Among the main features that differentiate this new tool from the previous one, it highlights a much more user-friendly, visual and intuitive user interface, and the use of a more advanced, flexible and intelligent technology, which puts the request at hand of authorizations and allows a more efficient management of space, so that this Natural Park is up to the future of the Smart territories.

Regarding the monitoring by the agents and operators of the Environment in said Islote, Minister Marlene Figueroa clarifies that they continue to provide their services in the natural area of the Islote de Lobos permanently.

Likewise, the control carried out by the agents and operators of the Environment confirms that "the real load capacity established in the last biweekly period has not been exceeded," said the director.

[Captain Sensible]

The new link for a Los Lobos pass is: https://lobospass.com/welcome

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

Went over to Lobos on the 9th. Had hoped to go sooner after it reopened to get a quiet visit (before tourists) but one of the friends who came with me refuses to get on a boat where she can touch the water, so no RIB  . The ferry service restarted on 1st July and has to be booked online at present. The booking process also includes your Lobos permit - the ferry company sends you a link to download your QR code.
16€ for non-residents. 13€ for residents.
Despite the time slots of the permits (10-2) I was able to book a ferry to go over at 10am and return at 4pm. 
Took the printed ferry purchase confirmation direct to the boat to embark.
All crew and passengers wore masks. There was no social distancing onboard the Majorero, every seat was taken, so about 80-100 of us. The Cabildo MedioAmbiente guy came across with us on the ferry - there was no checking of permits when we disembarked on Lobos so presumably they are trusting  the ferry company to have organised them correctly.
The visitor info centre had had a bit of a revamp and there were 6 or 8 loos, washbasins, soap etc so that was a good improvement. The drinks dispenser machine (water) was turned off. There were already 2 security staff at the info centre who must have come over on a RIB to get it open before the ferry arrived. Hand gel available. Pics of the displays in the gallery. There is also a rest building with tables and benches inside which is a good idea because there is no other shade on the island except for some covered benches on the quay where you wait for your return ferry.
We walked past the lagoons and over to the lighthouse, ate our picnic there and then made our way back to the beach for the last hour or so - the sea was gorgeous after all the walking!
Coming back we were on the Isla de Lobos ferry (a cutter style boat), again it was full, all wore masks, hand gel offered soon after we boarded. Very rough crossing - good fun!
 

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

From RadioSintonia:

The Ministry of The Environment in collaboration with the team of the Biosphere Reserve, has completed the presentation of a series of projects to the European Call For Life Medio Ambiente and Life Nature, among which stands out"Life SOS Water Rescue",an innovative technical proposal that aims to provide solution to the availability and purification of water in the most isolated natural areas of Fuerteventura, namely the Islote de Lobos, Cofete and the Puertito de La Cruz.
The project, which has a global budget of 2,349,292 euros, has designed concrete actions in the public services of the interpretation center and the recreational area of the Islote de Lobos Natural Park, in the Interpretation Center -nature classroom of the House of the Tenant and the town of Cofete and in the Puertito de la Cruz in the Natural Park of Jandía , and has been conceived under the premises of the principle of circularity and zero waste in accordance with the provisions of the European Green Pact.
Marlene Figueroa has pointed out that "these actions aim to apply an ecological modality for the treatment of wastewater, adapting respectfully to the specificities of these protected and isolated environments, as well as to the needs and profile of users, and at the same time we comply with the requirement to minimize the carbon footprint".

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from RadioSintonia:

As Radio Sintonía has learned on the beach of La Caleta, Isla de Lobos, today August 25 at 3:15 p.m., the GES rescues a moderately injured woman when she fell on a beach in Fuerteventura.
Assessment of those affected provided by the SUC:

• A woman of about 30 years of age who, at the initial moment of assistance, presented a moderate hip trauma, transferred in a GES helicopter to the General Hospital of Fuerteventura Virgen de La Peña.
  

Intervening services activated by CECOES 1-1-2:

• Group of Emergencies and Rescue (GES): a rescue helicopter
  

Observations:

• At the time indicated above, the Coordinating Center for Emergencies and Security (CECOES) 1-1-2 of the Government of the Canary Islands received an alert in which it was reported that a woman had fallen on that beach and could not move.
  
  
• The 1-1-2 immediately activated the necessary emergency resources.
  
  
• The GES helicopter located and rescued the wound that, after being immobilized, was transferred in said aircraft to the mentioned hospital.
  

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from Radio Sintonia:

The Department of Beaches and Environment of the City of La Oliva,directed by Julio Santana, has installed the first defibrillator on the Island of Lobos. The device is located on Playa del Puertito, next to the Antoñito el Farero Restaurant.
 
Cardiorespiratory arrests can happen to anyone, anywhere. Defibrillators are devices capable of examining the heart rhythm to determine when it is necessary to provide an electric shock, while a pre-recorded voice gives instructions of what the person who is using it has to do.
The location of a defibrillator (AED) in certain places, and the immediate intervention of people with knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), is essential for the affected person to survive.
"The City Council of La Oliva has chosen to introduce a defibrillator on the Island of Lobos because it is a space without any health center nearby through which dozens of people pass a day. Having an AED brings confidence to visitors, as it guarantees a more agile assistance in case its use is necessary, "says Mayor Pilar González.
"From now on, if an emergency occurs on the Islet, anyone can activate the device and contact 112 to receive the relevant instructions to attend to the affected, even if they do not have the accredited knowledge and provided that there is no one trained in the vicinity," says Councilman Julio Santana
Julio Santana, Councilor for Beaches and Environment, points out that having a defibrillator on the Island of Lobos "is necessary to offer greater safety to visitors, because in this way we manage to increase survival in case of cardiac arrest and avoid its possible sequelae".

[TamaraEnLaPlaya]

from Diario:

• The Cabildo of Fuerteventura and Museums of Tenerife sign an agreement to continue investigating a site that they consider the most important in the Canary Islands.
  The Cabildo of Fuerteventura, through the Ministry of Historical Heritage, has signed an agreement to give continuity to the archaeological work in the sites of the Islote de Lobos. The agreement was signed by the Minister of Culture and Historical Heritage, Rayco León, and the Minister of Museums of the Cabildo de Tenerife, Concepción Rivero, allowing to investigate, disseminate and properly preserve this site that both defined as the most important in the Canary Islands.According to Rivero, "we signed this agreement to resume work and collaborate with the technical part and members of our team in an archaeological site that is the most important in the Canary Islands, being the one that determines the theories of the presence of the Romans in the Archipelago"."From the Cabildo de Tenerife we are proud to continue working side by side with Fuerteventura in an important research at an international level, being essential to publicize this knowledge so that it reaches the population," added the counselor.For his part, Rayco León, indicated that, "among the archaeological heritage that Fuerteventura has, the site of Lobos is one of the most important in the Canary Islands. A site that will have an impact on the history of the Archipelago and how it was related to the Roman Empire"."We hope to have the results as soon as possible to be able to continue discovering the history of Fuerteventura and a site that is being observed by the scientific community," added León.In view of the interesting results obtained during the archaeological excavation already carried out at the Lobos I and II sites, both institutions have considered it appropriate to sign a new agreement to give continuity to the work.The site of Lobos I is located on the Playa de la Calera or de la Concha, southwest of the Islote de Lobos. Archaeological data show the presence of a purple production workshop from Roman times, dated between the first century BC.C and the first century AD.C.In the shell and its surroundings have been located materials of Roman manufacture, both ceramics made of lathe, as well as metal pieces of bronze, iron, lead and lithic, related to the work of the purple process.In addition, in other areas of the site, objects related to domestic activity are recorded, such as kitchen ceramics and tableware, as well as combustion spaces. The seasonal presence of the Roman Empire was also confirmed with the discovery of a second site (Lobos II)Purple was considered from the beginning of its exploitation in the eastern Mediterranean in the second millennium BC.C as one of the most precious products, becoming a symbol of luxury and power. Its commercialization was very lucrative, which minimized the costs of exploitation in areas as far from the Empire as our archipelago.The works are developed by the Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura, University of La Laguna and Museums of Tenerife, with the participation of scientists from the Research Project 'Settlement and Colonization of islands in the Atlantic-PYCIA'.The direction of the archaeological excavation will be shared by both institutions, acting as directors the curator of the Archaeological Museum of Fuerteventura, Isidoro Hernández, as well as Carmina and Mercedes del Arco Aguilar by Museums of Tenerife.