Sustaining Tradition: Socioeconomic and Environmental Dimensions of Canary Island Fisheries in the Post-COVID-19 Era
2025
Santiago M. Barroso Castillo | Ignacio de Martín-Pinillos Castellanos | Noelia Cruz-Pérez | Laia d’Armengol | Juan C. Santamarta
The Canary Islands, a Spanish archipelago off the coast of East Africa, have a longstanding historical connection to the fishing sector. Despite its cultural and ecological significance, the sector&rsquo:s social, economic, and sustainable dimensions remain underexplored. This research contextualises the fishing industry in the Canary Islands and evaluates the impact of COVID-19. From 2012 to 2022, the sector contributed just 0.14% to the region&rsquo:s GDP, compared to 3.75% nationally, a 3.5% difference, despite the high value of species like bigeye tuna and bluefin tuna. This disparity highlights the limited economic weight of local fisheries. This study also reveals how the pandemic exacerbated existing challenges, threatening the sector&rsquo:s sustainability. However, traditional fishing practices in the Canary Islands, with their lower environmental impact, play a vital role in preserving marine ecosystems, combating climate change, and alleviating broader economic pressures. These findings underscore the need for targeted strategies to ensure the sector&rsquo:s resilience and sustainability after the pandemic.
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