FIMAR 2024 opens its doors in a symbolic enclave 'for the city and the Island'

 

 

 

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Ian and Nayelis, second grade students at CEIP Hoya Andrea, rang the small bell that each year announces the beginning of FIMAR this Friday morning. The thirteenth edition of the International Sea Fair, in fact, started this June 7, in its new location at the Sanapú Pier, as the great event for the blue economy in the city and the Island. The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, the first deputy mayor and councilor for Local Development, Employment, Solidarity, Tourism, Mobility and City of Mar of the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Pedro Quevedo; and the president of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Beatriz Calzada, proceeded to the formal opening of the fair, which brings together more than fifty firms, entities and companies linked to the sea, some 80 stands and a wide range of information and leisure in a space open to citizens. 

 

FIMAR is promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council and the Port Authority of Las Palmas, and organized by the City of Mar City Council of the city and Infecar, Gran Canaria Fair.

 

The president of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, highlighted "the enormous importance" of a fair, which, he recalled, is possible thanks to "the conjunction of efforts on the island of Gran Canaria between the Cabildo and the City Council, with decision of the Port Authority of Las Palmas". Morales stressed "the fundamental role" that the blue economy must play in the diversification of the Canary Islands economy, and highlighted "the extraordinary and symbolic place for the city" in which this 13th edition of FIMAR is held. 

 

The fair, he stressed, "brings together an important part of the different sectors involved in the development of the blue economy on the Island", nautical sports and research and Science, with the endorsement of "an important citizen response: the last year," he added, "thousands of people came here to purchase products linked to nautical and to learn about other elements of the blue economy, and, well, to become familiar with this economic activity that should be fundamental in the coming years in the development of Gran Canaria".

 

 

 

 

For his part, the deputy mayor and councilor for Tourism and City of Mar of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Pedro Quevedo, emphasized the fact that "there are already 13 editions of FIMAR, which means that we are doing what what happens to a City of the Sea", like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria. Quevedo stated that "we have historically been related to the sea, it is not in vain that we have it everywhere, but we have not always made correct use of the marine environment for economic and social development. FIMAR represents a recovery of that idea, of the need to develop the blue economy, to use the maritime marine environment for more than just bathing or sailing. And there are many more things to do. In addition, the fair today has, commented the mayor of the Gran Canaria capital, "an enormous attraction", also for families, because "from the smallest to the oldest visitors will find topics of interest here."

 

Quevedo also wanted to remember that this year the guest city at FIMAR is the Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo, which "has a great tradition of port and surfing, and that is a topic that we are interested in continuing to develop." Along these lines, he alluded to the 'Blue Impulse' professional conference, held this Thursday, January 6, at the headquarters of the Marine Maritime Innovation Center (CIMM), in the Puerto de Las Palmas Foundation Building, with the Portuguese population as the protagonist. Quevedo stated that "we have little to envy of almost anyone, we are becoming a reference for many people in many places, and we have to continue like this." 

 

The president of the Port Authority of Las Palmas, Beatriz Calzada, highlighted as "a pleasure and pride that this fair is held in our facilities, for reasons that everyone will understand: if there is an environment linked one hundred percent to the blue economy it is this port in particular, which shows this every day, with all the companies that operate here," also, "with that environmental awareness." FIMAR, he noted, "is a showcase for all that very important work for a land like ours, because ultimately we are the sea, and so we have to claim it in all aspects. This fair is an example of this."

 

Calzada placed special emphasis on the space in which FIMAR 2024 takes place, because it is the axis "of this great Port-city project, with that area that we are going to offer to the citizens, not only of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria , also of the entire Island", with that "port identity", as "a large green space", and "with a maritime museum that will allow us to learn even more about the dock, and the maritime and fishing activity that it has done great to this Port, this city and this Island". And he highlighted the "international" character of FIMAR, "and internationalization comes precisely from the hand of all the companies that participate, even the smallest one that is present here is international, because the entire marine maritime business always moves at that level" .

 

 

 

FIMAR 2024

 

Since its inauguration, the public has been joining FIMAR with progressive intensity, visiting facilities in which some fifty exhibitors and 80 stands have been installed. FIMAR 2024 has a wide representation of public and private entities, firms from the marine, maritime and nautical sector and a large panel of researchers and lecturers open to the public. 

 

Outreach

 

The University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria contributes a wide list of speakers to this edition of the International Sea Fair. From the faculties of Marine Sciences or Philology or also from entities such as the Spanish Algae Bank, the University Institute of Aquaculture Research (ECOAQUA), the Institute of Oceanography and Global Change (IOCAG) or the University Institute of Animal Health and Safety Food (IUSA). 

 

In addition, the Canary Islands Ocean Platform (PLOCAN) is present on a panel in which RedPROMAR and the Canarian Association of Maritime Collectors have a reserved role. 

 

These days, experts present their knowledge about topics such as evolution, climate change, the so-called “algae revolution”, the condition of the Canary Islands as “the ideal laboratory” to evaluate the planet's climatic transformation, the impact of ingestion of microplastics in fish, marine biodiversity or research in the oceans and the poles. 

 

Regarding the citizen leisure program, it must be remembered that the usual boat visits around the interior of the Port have been scheduled (in strict order of arrival, without the need for prior registration), at 11:00, 13:00, 15:30 and 17:30 p.m. on Friday the 7th and Saturday the 8th; and at 11:00 and 13:00 on Sunday the 9th.

 

Demonstrations on the Port's sheet of water, family activities and a children's area are also offered. The program also includes a helicopter rescue exhibition from the Canary Islands Air Command, a gastronomic area and visits to the Civil Guard ship.

 

The last day, this Sunday, June 9, includes a parade, at 12:00 p.m., and a concert by Los Coquillos, at 13:00 p.m.