Radio Sintonia:

Given the shortage, the Canary Islands propose to import potatoes from Northern Ireland or Wales.

The Canary Islands propose that potatoes be imported from Northern Ireland or Wales, territories free of the potato beetle. In this sense, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food Sovereignty, Narvay Quinter, explained, in relation to the import of potatoes from England, that "European countries have closed borders to prevent the entry of the pest that affects this tuber". "A beetle puts in check the consumption of a food as essential for the Canary Islands as this, which should make us reflect on the need to bet on local production," he said.



The counselor explained that negotiations are being held with the Government Delegation and the Ministry, competent in this matter, to enable the importation of potatoes from other territories of the United Kingdom in which, according to the EPPO, the potato beetle is not present, such as Northern Ireland or Wales, an important action for the entry into the Canary Islands of the potato for consumption but especially for the seed, that arrives in the Canary Islands at this time and that comes mostly from these areas". "We do not want to repeal Law 87, which protects the Canary Islands from the entry of pests into crops, because this would be a health and also economic problem," he added.

The president of the SAT Izaña, Roberto Rodríguez, acknowledged in statements to the media that the sector "is having a hard time both because of the competition of imports and the detection of new pests." "We are not going to allow the Law of 87 to be repealed because otherwise we will have to close all the farms in the Canary Islands," he said. He also assured that "pests enter through imported containers, so exhaustive phytosanitary controls are required" by the State.

Is there one of these in El Campanario and, if so, whereabouts is it? I am aware of the one in the old town.

Noticias:

A Canarian company owns the best marine cleaning boats in the world.

The vessels of Ocean Cleaner Technology, of the Newport Group, can clean the sea of microalgae in a few days



NEWSROOMFUERTEVENTURA


Microplastics, waste, fuel, microalgae. There are many types of discharges or elements that accumulate in the waters of the whole planet and that endanger, not only marine biodiversity, but also pose a risk to human health. Given this, there are companies that are dedicated to carrying out cleaning tasks to avoid the serious damage that can be caused to the flora and fauna that lives under seas and oceans. Among them, a Canarian company has the best boats for these tasks. The vessels of Ocean Cleaner Technology, of the Newport Group, can eliminate the large spots of microalgae -so present in the Canary Islands during the summer- in a few days.



Pollution, habitat destruction or loss of biodiversity are some of the most common concepts when talking about pollution in the seas and oceans. In some cases, it is a natural process – aggravated by global warming – and, in others, by the intervention of the human being who, in many cases, has a lack of awareness about the amount of waste that is dumped each year.



Among the main substances discharged can be found herbicides, pesticides, fertilizers, detergents, chemicals, hydrocarbons, plastics and wastewater. All of them cause a great environmental impact that damages biodiversity and puts human health at risk. All this has allowed us to observe, on multiple occasions, islands formed by waste in some corner of the planet. What is the situation in the Canary Islands? What are the main problems that are generated in the sea of the Islands?

With the arrival of summer, it is increasingly common to observe on the coasts of the Canary Islands the arrival of large spots caused by microalgae. The reason for its appearance -or the increase in its presence- may be due to the increase in sea temperature that has been occurring in recent years, the strong solar irradiation or episodes of haze.



Microalgae and microplastics, the big problem in the Canary Islands



The Canary Islands is currently one of the areas of the world most affected by the presence of microplastics. This is one of the conclusions reached by the Implamac project, which investigates the presence of this element in the waters and marine ecosystem of Macaronesia. Also, according to a study by Eomar, more than eighty pollutants have been found in these microplastics. A problem that is concentrated, to a greater extent, on the coasts facing northeast and where up to 300 grams per square meter have been found.



With all this, we must not leave aside the risk that may suppose, as an island territory that is the Archipelago, the continuous traffic of ships, merchants or cruise ships that arrive and that can pose a serious pollution problem, not only for the waste that is generated, but also before any fuel leak that may be registered at some point in the Archipelago. But is there any way to deal with it? Is it possible to clean the sea in the presence of these elements?



The Canarian company Ocean Cleaner Technology, of the Newport Group, has developed an innovative marine technology, focused on the care of the marine and river environment, with the aim of achieving a blue circular economy in a world that tries to achieve a more sustainable development. A commitment that places it as a benchmark in marine cleaning and that has allowed it to obtain the European Seal of Excellence, a quality label within the Union's research and innovation program.

Thus, Ocean Cleaner Technology offers a multitasking boat that allows the collection of marine waste, including microalgae, crude oil, hydrocarbons, algae, microplastics or floating solids. Such is its capacity, that it was required, at the request of Gibraltar, to carry out the cleaning of fuel spilled by the vessel OS35, after an accident occurred in the vicinity of the rock in August of last year 2022, where it swept an area of one million square meters for twelve days and stored 26,000 liters of fuel with water, returning 1.4 million liters of clean water.



The Ocean Cleaner Technology boat adapts to each type of waste



How is cleaning done? It is a task in which the ship must make passes in the affected area, always at low speed, in order to carry out the removal of the material or substance that is in the sea. The boat has a double hull structure like a catamaran and the contaminated water that passes between the two keels is what is treated by the cleaning system incorporated in the boat, which is adjusted according to the residue.



It also allows you to perform other maintenance tasks in port areas, or even perform conservation tasks, being able to transport equipment and material by having a large deck. Also noteworthy is its shallow draft -0.60 m-, which allows it to act in shallow areas. Once the cleaning is done, the ship unloads the material in port for further treatment. In short, a commitment to provide a quick and effective response that guarantees the safety, not only of the human being himself, but of all marine biodiversity.

link to article for pics and video

Radio Sintonia:

The preferred stop of the Cotillo embellished with decorative murals.

The preferred stop of the Cotillo embellished with decorative murals. The Cabildo de Fuerteventura continues to improve and fine-tune the network of interurban road transport infrastructures.



The Ministry of Transport leads this project in collaboration with the members of the Employment Plan 'The Cabildo promotes Employability'. These tasks include repairs, conditioning, cleaning and the beautification of the infrastructures with artistic murals.

One of the murals already completed is located in the Morro Jable Bus Station, showing a stunning beach of Costa Calma. Additionally, two murals are being painted at the preferred stop of El Cotillo. This latest design is inspired by Jules Verne's literary work, '20,000 Leagues Under the Sea', and features a surfer in action on the beaches of Fuerteventura.

The president of the Cabildo, Lola García, together with the Minister of Transport, Luis González, and the Minister of Employment Promotion, Nuria Cabrera, made a visit to observe the progress of these works. During the visit, they expressed their appreciation to the artist responsible for these murals, José Antonio Marichal, who shared his inspiration behind the chosen themes.

Marichal explained that he opted for these themes, due to "the indisputable intrinsic relationship that exists between reading and public transport".

In reference to the surfer mural, he stressed that it represents "the enjoyment and beauty that this sport provides, giving the opportunity to interact directly with nature." The murals have aroused great interest among residents and visitors of El Cotillo, attracted by the curiosity they generate.

In addition to the artistic contribution, the Cabildo de Fuerteventura is promoting employability through its plan 'The Cabildo promotes Employability', which is part of twelve employment plans financed exclusively with the island's own resources.

Thanks to an investment of 5.3 million euros, this program offers job opportunities to 189 unemployed people in various fields such as equality, education, care for the elderly and rehabilitation of public spaces. This particular scheme, the largest of all, provides employment for 77 people working on the improvement of various island-owned infrastructure.

link to article for pic

Radio Sintonia:

Fuerteventura hosts the VIII International Meeting of Environmental Volunteering in the Canary Islands.

Fuerteventura hosts the VIII International Meeting of Environmental Volunteering in the Canary Islands. The Association of Volunteers to Help Nature of Fuerteventura (AVANFUER) has started the exciting VIII International Meeting of Environmental Volunteering in the Canary Islands. The event, which started on Thursday, August 24 and will run until Sunday 27, brings together 25 young volunteers from Tenerife, Gran Canaria, La Palma, Fuerteventura and Honduras.



Under the title 'Generation Restoration 2023', the meeting has the support of the Cabildo de Fuerteventura. During these days, participants have the opportunity to immerse themselves in a series of talks, workshops and group dynamics that combine theory and practice, with the aim of sharing the experiences and approaches of environmental volunteering in the Canary Islands.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by the insular Minister of Youth, Adargoma Hernández, the Minister of Biosphere Reserve, Marlene Figueroa, and the Minister of Environment, Carlos Rodríguez. The meeting seeks to promote ecological activism and collaboration in favor of the natural environment, bringing together committed young people from different regions in an enriching exchange of knowledge and practices for the care of the environment.

The Minister of Youth, Adargoma Hernández, welcomed all the young participants and assured that they have all the support of the counseling he directs. "From the youth area we want to promote this type of actions to promote and recover volunteering in Fuerteventura, that young people work as a team and share experiences with other islands, as is the case of this day".

For her part, the Minister Marlene Figueroa indicated that "young people are the present and the future of a much more sustainable Canary Islands and Fuerteventura. From Biosphere Reserve we will continue to support volunteering, since we believe that the synergy between youth, experience and associations is absolutely necessary, both preventively and with actions that favor our environment".

The counselor Carlos Rodríguez thanked the young volunteers for the work they do and urged them to continue, since it is "extremely important, although sometimes not very visible. We must continue working in this field, recover very degraded areas, and establish the tasks in the face of climate change."

Today's day began with a series of enriching presentations that left a deep impression on the attendees of the VIII International Meeting of Environmental Volunteering in the Canary Islands, organized by AVANFUER. The audience was immersed in the knowledge shared by Carlota Vialcho, representative of Ocean Missions in Iceland, who opened the day with her vision.

Continuing the event, Gabriel Banegas, from Honduras, gave a revealing talk on marine conservation and restoration. The audience also had the privilege of listening to Natalia Luis, spokesperson for Ecoalpispa, a project that highlights the importance of bees and the rural environment in preserving the environment. Tania Azurmendi contributed her perspective on agroecology, soil and community, completing a series of stimulating discussions.

In the days to come, from Friday 25 to Sunday 27, the meeting will continue with a variety of activities in different parts of the island. Participants will be able to immerse themselves in practical workshops, participate in beach cleaning and collaborative work, get involved in group dynamics and bird watching, and will culminate the event with its closure.

Young participants, motivated by the UN International Youth Day theme 'Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World', are demonstrating that they are willing to take action on behalf of the environment and sustainability.

Radio Sintonia:

'Fuerteventura Florece' carries out plant production work at the Biological Station of La Oliva.

A total of fifteen unemployed people belonging to the PFAE 'Fuerteventura Florece' carry out plant production work at the Biological Station of La Oliva since last April.



The president of the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, Lola García, had the opportunity to witness in person the progress made in these tasks. She was accompanied during this visit by the Minister of Employment Promotion, Nuria Cabrera, and the Minister of the Environment, Carlos Rodríguez. Likewise, the councilors of the City Council of La Oliva joined the visit: David Fajardo, in charge of the areas of Tourism and Environment; Rubén Martínez, responsible for the Primary Sector and Cleaning Services; and Verónica Saavedra, in charge of Gardens and Green Areas.

Lola García thanked the work of the fifteen participants, "who work for months in this Training Program in Alternation with Employment, which aims to promote the labor insertion of unemployed people, while developing public service tasks related to the beautification and maintenance of gardens. "

The counselor Nuria Cabrera added that "after completing a first module, consisting of the maintenance and production of plants in the nursery, the student-worker will continue to train in knowledge about species of flora and maintenance of parks and gardens".

In addition, from the month of October, the students of the program will carry out work in the Sociosanitary Center of Day Stay 'Josefina Plá', with the aim of improving the outdoor environment by introducing endemic species. They will also undertake beautification projects in the Botanical Park of Corralejo, known as 'La Tunera', where they will implement irrigation systems and plant native and exotic species, among other improvements. These activities will have the collaborative support of the City Council of La Oliva.

Also, as an integral part of their training, the students of the 'Fuerteventura Florese' program are obtaining knowledge about the native flower of the Canary Islands and aspects related to the restoration of the entornor, such as recycling, reducing the use of plastic and the creation of compost from organic and vegetable waste. Additionally, they will carry out activities with the aim of obtaining certifications in the care of palm trees and in the application and handling of phytosanitary products.

This Training Program in Alternation with Employment, known as 'Fuerteventura Florece', is part of a set of seven similar training programs promoted by the Cabildo de Fuerteventura, which have a total investment of 2.8 million euros and are co-financed by the Canary Islands Employment Service. In total, 140 unemployed people are benefiting from these initiatives covering areas such as environmental restoration, tourism, the electronic gaming sector, culture, supply, beautification and rehabilitation in Fuerteventura.

Hi, going to Morro del Jable in October. Wondering about the sun loungers for hire near the lighthouse or those nearer the town, and if these are used by naturists or if it’s generally textiles only on these? Any info appreciated!! Thanks.

Radio Sintonia:

Mercadona successfully completes its Spanish citrus campaign.

Mercadona successfully ends its Spanish citrus campaign with a record of purchases. With an impressive balance of purchases that exceeds 196,000 tons, Mercadona has reaffirmed its commitment to the primary sector and support for national suppliers.



In this campaign, the company has acquired more than 200,000 tons of Spanish citrus fruits, highlighting 140,000 tons of oranges, 56,000 tons of tangerines and 17,000 tons of lemons. These volumes reflect a constant dedication to promoting strong and transparent relationships with more than 25 national suppliers, who in turn collaborate with more than 2,500 farmers throughout Spain.

Mercadona's firm commitment to the primary sector is manifested in its policy of national origin, where more than 85% of the oranges marketed are of national origin. This strategy has been instrumental in strengthening the supply chain and supporting the local economy.

The next citrus campaign of Spanish origin is scheduled to begin in October. From mid-August to the end of October, customers will be able to purchase oranges from other origins. However, at the beginning of October the citrus campaign of Spanish origin will begin, with the arrival of lemons and tangerines to stores. Throughout October, Mercadona will continue to introduce various varieties of national citrus fruits, while at the beginning of November oranges of Spanish origin will be gradually incorporated throughout the chain.

In its efforts to promote a balanced diet, Mercadona promotes the consumption of citrus fruits, including its freshly squeezed orange juice. Available in three packaging formats (250 ml, 500 ml and 1 liter), this service was introduced in 2016 through the collaboration between Mercadona, the specialist supplier Zumex and the customers themselves.

Citrus fruits, known for their richness in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced diet. Oranges, tangerines and lemons, among others, become valuable allies to complete a balanced shopping basket.

Mercadona also highlights its support for the campaigns of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on seasonal Fruits and Vegetables, as well as its adherence to the Code of Good Commercial Practices in Food Contracting. This voluntary agreement, framed in the Law of Measures to Improve the Functioning of the Food Chain, reflects the company's commitment to fair and sustainable business practices in collaboration with associations throughout the agri-food chain in Spain.

Radio Sintonia:

Digging into Fuerteventura's past.

Excavating in the past of Fuerteventura through a diagnostic study that seeks to evaluate the state of the archaeological sites that are distributed throughout the island territory.



The Cabildo of Fuerteventura has initiated a diagnostic study with the purpose of evaluating the current state of the archaeological sites distributed throughout the island. This initiative seeks to provide an update to the archaeological chart of Fuerteventura and lay the foundations for a next conservation plan that ensures the protection and enhancement of the various sites present in the area.

Under the direction of Rayco León, the Department of Cultural Heritage has entrusted the development of this project to a multidisciplinary team of the company Tibicena, Arqueología y Patrimonio, recognized for its extensive experience in the field of archaeology in the Canary Islands and heritage management.

The first elements catalogued in the Archaeological Inventory of Fuerteventura date from campaigns carried out between 1987 and 1994, with a subsequent update between 2008 and 2011. However, due to the time lapse, it is essential to carry out a complete study to update these records and establish the necessary measures to ensure the conservation of the sites.

According to the counselor Rayco León, "what we are doing is laying the first stone from which we will elaborate the next measures. From this study will be born the rest of the actions that will allow to preserve the deposits and continue to disseminate the values that treasures the patrimonial legacy of Fuerteventura ".

Among the main threats that put at risk the valuable Archaeological Heritage of Fuerteventura, the alterations generated by human activity stand out, such as unregulated traffic, the opening of unauthorized roads and intentional looting. In addition, climatic influences, such as floods and erosive effects, are also added.

In the register of the island of Fuerteventura there are a total of 747 archaeological sites, distributed as follows: 58 in Betancuria, 148 in Antigua, 170 in La Oliva, 99 in Puerto del Rosario, 113 in Tuineje and 159 in Pájara.

Radio Sintonia:

Calderón Hondo has a new environmental information service.

The Department of Tourism and Environment of the City of La Oliva has launched a new environmental information service in the Calderón Hondo, aimed at ensuring that visitors can enjoy this exceptional natural environment in a responsible and respectful way.



With the aim of preserving the natural wealth of the area, a group of multilingual environmental guides has been deployed to assist and educate tourists. These measures seek to counteract harmful practices that affect the region, such as traffic outside designated trails, improper disposal of waste, alteration of land through the construction of monoliths, unauthorized engravings and feeding of wildlife.

The Councilor for Tourism and Environment, David Fajardo, expressed his concern about the environmental threat that impacts our natural values. "During the short period of our management, we have taken immediate action through the launch of environmental guidance guides. These guides will be operational during the months of August and September as part of a pilot project with a future-oriented perspective. Our goal is to mitigate the impact of human trafficking in this sensitive area, ensuring that the mountain does not become a maze of uncontrolled trails derived from off-road hikes."

In response to this initiative, the plan is to install a signage located at the beginning of the trail to the Calderón Hondo, with which visitors are informed about these regulations essential for the protection of the environment. Under the slogan "La Oliva Environmental Attitude", the implementation of this initiative, which seeks to provide information and awareness, represents a crucial step towards the construction of a responsible and sustainable tourism model.