• The International Sea Fair enjoys a Saturday of intense connection with the Atlantic, full of family leisure activities and a wide range of scientific knowledge about the marine environment.
• The Sanapú Dock receives constant visitors throughout the day, with a large local audience joined by cruise passengers.

Since 2008, the world has officially commemorated World Oceans Day every June 8. This date coincides with the thirteenth edition of the International Sea Fair, FIMAR 2024, which had the opportunity to celebrate it right in the middle of its activities. Indeed, FIMAR 2024 experienced a Saturday of intense connection with the Atlantic, in tune with its extensive scientific dissemination program related to ocean research and biodiversity, its educational actions aimed at spreading marine culture among the younger population, and its activity plan on the Sanapú Dock water surface (with boat trips, various exhibitions, and sea initiations) and on land (with a busy children’s area and an attractive gastronomic space).

The public responded strongly to FIMAR’s call on this symbolic June 8. The first groups of visitors were already waiting for the fair to open its doors, which has become the main meeting point for the blue economy in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria and the Island: about fifty nautical and marine-maritime companies and around eighty stands make up the event’s exhibition offer. In addition to the constant flow of local visitors, cruise passengers from the Anthem of the Seas also joined at the neighbouring Santa Catalina Dock. This Royal Caribbean ship has a capacity for more than four thousand passengers. All this influx immersed themselves in FIMAR’s program in a pleasant atmosphere.

Scientific Dissemination

The space set up for scientific dissemination sessions at FIMAR was very active this day, with up to nine scheduled presentations, all on themes that embody the spirit of the event organization, in full consonance with World Oceans Day. The public could learn about strategies to set limits to biodiversity loss in Canarian waters, the impact of ocean circulation on the climate, the climate engine condition of Antarctic seabeds, the Canary Islands as an ideal laboratory to assess Global Change, exotic species arriving in island waters, the information provided to researchers by released loggerhead turtles, or the acidification of Arctic waters.

Additionally, other conferences explained the Aula del Mar project at the Sardina de Gáldar Port to the audience in a local context. They addressed an interesting prediction of the oceans’ future thanks to the capabilities already offered by Artificial Intelligence.

All this scientific dissemination offer, led by researchers from the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, RedPROMAR, and the Canary Islands Maritime Collectors Association, was accompanied by the exhibits at the different stands of the ULPGC, the Primary Sector, Food Sovereignty, and Water Security Department of the Cabildo of Gran Canaria, the Canary Islands Oceanic Platform (PLOCAN), the City Council of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, or the City Council of La Aldea de San Nicolás. Often with an educational spirit aimed at the youngest.

Young visitors can learn about the different marine species or how marine-related scientific research works at FIMAR, and at the same time, do so in a fun way, also in the children’s area of the fair.

The demonstrations on the water surface also bear the hallmark of sports entities such as the Real Club Náutico de Gran Canaria or the Club Marítimo Varadero, in addition to the traditional link with the Canary Islands Latin Sailing that FIMAR has always maintained. The public eagerly lined up for boat trips, filling the offer of the various scheduled departures throughout the day, and participated in guided tours of the Civil Guard boats, which were also very popular during the day.

Special mention goes to the water rescue demonstration carried out with the intervention of the Maritime Rescue helicopter, which attracted the audience’s attention with a varied entertainment offer at their disposal. There was also a commercial offer, with an extensive representation of the blue economy sector showcasing their specialized products and services during these dates.

Training and Job Projection

The projection of this market is one of FIMAR’s goals, including disseminating specific training offers for the sector. The Canary Islands Maritime Cluster plays an active role, as do public (such as the Municipal Institute of Employment and Training of the capital of Gran Canaria) and academic administrations (with the ULPGC at the forefront) linked to the fair, or entities such as the National Association of Professional Skippers of Recreational Boats.

The event aims to strengthen professional and job growth opportunities within the blue economy on the Island and the city. For example, promoting actions such as exchanging young people in the Erasmus Plus programs with the Portuguese city of Viana do Castelo, the guest city at this edition of FIMAR.

Final Day with Parade and Concert

FIMAR 2024 will have a special last day this Sunday, June 9, from 10:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. For the first time, a parade has been scheduled in the fairgrounds at 12:00 p.m., and at 1:00 p.m., the Canarian band Los Coquillos will offer a concert to the attending public. The usual boat tours inside the Port have also been scheduled at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Thus, visitors will have additional incentives to enjoy the attractions of an event that always guarantees an interesting experience for both professionals and the public.

FIMAR expresses its condolences to the entire family of Canary Islands Latin Sailing

The International Sea Fair organization publicly expresses its condolences to the family of Antonio Cabrera ‘Seiko’, president of the boat DISA Roque Nublo ULPGC, who sadly passed away during these dates. FIMAR extends this sentiment to the entire family of Canary Islands Latin Sailing, where Cabrera established himself as one of its historical figures. A big hug to his loved ones.