- The International Sea Fair, which runs until Sunday, June 8, invites the public under the theme “Sustainability of the Canary Coastline.”
The big day has arrived, and the 14th edition of the International Sea Fair (FIMAR) 2025 opens its doors. Sara and Asier, from CEIP Las Alcaravaneras, rang the small bell that marks the start of FIMAR each year. The fair will be held until Sunday, June 8, at Sanapú Dock in the Port of Las Palmas, between the Poema del Mar aquarium and the Onda Atlántica walkway, with a special focus on the “Sustainability of the Canary Coastline.”
The President of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, Antonio Morales, the Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Carolina Darias, and the President of the Port Authority, Beatriz Calzada, officially inaugurated the fair, which this year hosts over 50 exhibitors, 80 stands, and a complete program of educational talks, citizen entertainment, a children’s area, and a food court. FIMAR has become the major event for the blue economy in the city, the island, and the Canary Islands.
FIMAR 2025 is promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Port Authority of Las Palmas, and is organised by the Ciudad de Mar Department and INFECAR, the Gran Canaria Trade Fair Institution.
Antonio Morales emphasised that “FIMAR is a fair where civil society, institutions, and various marine and nautical organisations come together to discuss the sea and the blue economy. We are talking about diversifying the economy in the Canary Islands.” He announced that the Cabildo of Gran Canaria has commissioned a study to determine the share of the blue economy in the island, which currently accounts for just over 8% of the regional GDP and has seen significant growth in recent years. He stressed that “the diversification of efforts is yielding results in a sustainable framework linked to the sea, benefiting the social and economic development of Gran Canaria.”
Carolina Darias, Mayor of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, stated that “FIMAR teaches us to look at the sea globally, broadening our understanding of the marine ecosystem, which for Las Palmas de Gran Canaria means life. The Fair, after 14 years, reflects a well-executed inter-institutional collaboration and showcases the progress made in the blue economy in recent years. It addresses the major challenges faced by Atlantic cities, such as climate change, and highlights the role of science and innovation in public policy.”
She advocated for “strengthening knowledge and awareness to ensure the protection of the marine ecosystem and, as this edition’s FIMAR slogan suggests, the protection of the coastline, which is strategic for the City Council.” She pointed to innovative public management examples, such as the sensorization of Las Canteras, Alcaravaneras, and La Laja beaches with Smart Beach technology, allowing real-time monitoring of beach use and conditions. “Technology is key to anticipating and making better-informed decisions.”
Beatriz Calzada, President of the Port Authority, noted that “FIMAR is an example of economic diversification and an important fair for businesses and citizens. This weekend, companies will have the opportunity to showcase what they do, the kind of jobs and economy that can be generated around our sea. It’s one of our greatest assets for creating synergies and, most importantly, to show our youth that there’s a future here, that they can train and build their careers locally. It is a fair deeply focused on sustainability, which concerns and involves us all.” She mentioned the presentation of two new vessels on Friday morning, one of which is 100% electric, designed for collecting solid and liquid waste, developed by SEPCAN, which “will allow us to be more efficient at the Port Authority.”
Throughout Friday morning, a festive atmosphere welcomed a growing number of visitors to FIMAR. The fairgrounds host over 50 exhibitors and 80 stands this 2025 edition, representing public, private, and academic institutions, sports clubs, civic organizations, and companies from sectors such as boating and suppliers, leisure and water sports, marine and maritime industries, port environment, and nautical fashion. This positions the event as a key forum to strengthen commercial ties, facilitate business, and promote communication channels between the public and private sectors.
Guest City: Ericeira
Once again, FIMAR features a guest city: Ericeira. This coastal town, located 35 km from Lisbon, is recognised as a World Surfing Reserve by the NGO Save the Waves Coalition and, like Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, is part of the World Surf Cities Network.
Extensive Outreach Program
During the fair, the public will enjoy an extensive outreach program with open and free activities. These sessions are led by researchers and experts participating in FIMAR. The list of speakers includes specialists from various departments and institutes of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), such as Laura Suárez Betancor (IOCAG), Anna Cunill Sáez, Marina Gutiérrez García, Jacob Stefan Torres Ojeda, Giovanny Alejandro Cuervo Londoño, Charles Jouan (ECOAQUA Institute), Julián Andrés Sánchez, and Raquel Patricia Puig Lozano (IUSA), as well as Ianna Francine Luna Duval and Ana Molina Rodríguez (Faculty of Marine Sciences).
Other presenters include Mar Fernández, Miriam Arellano, Joaquín Ortiz, and Beatriz Fernández from Macrocarbón, a company specialising in the industrial cultivation of algae.
FIMAR also showcases technological advances in the marine world, including autonomous underwater robots, predictions of marine environment evolution using AI, and sustainable fuel production from microalgae. ULPGC and other institutions will present these innovations.
There will also be guidelines for educators and citizens on climate change, measures to protect consumers from ciguatoxin in fish and shellfish, and insights into how tourism impacts marine litter statistics in the Canary Islands, a pressing issue today.
Activities for Children and Families
FIMAR also features family-friendly activities: workshops, storytelling, sing-alongs, and an increasingly popular kids’ area. Attendees can enjoy boat rides between Santa Catalina Dock and the Marina, visit maritime rescue vessels, sample local cuisine in a dedicated food area, and participate in a street parade on Saturday, June 7, and a performance by the Gran Canaria band Los Lola on Sunday, June 8.
Boat ride times: Saturday, June 7 – free departures at 11:00, 12:30, 14:00, 15:30, 17:00, and 18:30; Sunday, June 8 – 10:30, 12:00, and 13:30. All rides depart from Wilson Dock.
Visitors can also attend a parallel activity at the Elder Museum on June 7 and 8, featuring Planetarium talks on “Navigating with the Stars” at 11:00, 13:00, and 17:00 on June 7; and at 11:00, 12:00, and 13:00 on June 8.
This new edition of FIMAR is a unique opportunity to learn about the oceans, explore advances in research and technology, and reflect on how we can contribute to the blue economy and marine conservation in the Canary Islands and beyond. All this in a setting designed for public enjoyment and leisure, reinforcing Las Palmas’ deep connection to the sea and its maritime heritage.
Opening Hours
Admission is free. FIMAR opening hours are: Friday, 8:00 p.m., Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday, June 8, 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Organisers and Collaborating Entities
FIMAR is promoted by the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, and the Port Authority of Las Palmas, and is organised by the Ciudad de Mar Department and INFECAR.
Collaborating entities include the Department of Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty and Water Security of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster, Gesplan (RedPromar, Educaisla), and the Municipal Employment and Training Institute of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (IMEF).
Full details of FIMAR, its program, and participating companies are available at the official website: https://feriainternacionaldelmar.com/
