Fishing in the Canary Islands is a real pleasure: warm water, clear visibility, stunning coastlines. But anyone who thinks it’s all relaxed and safe here hasn’t understood the Atlantic.
The sea around the Canary Islands is beautiful, but it remains dangerous. To ensure that no one else ends up in the news as yet another tourist who’s had an accident whilst fishing, here are the rules every angler should know before casting their line:
1. You should get yourself a fishing licence. It only costs a few euros, whereas fishing without a licence is expensive. This is because the authorities will, amongst other things, confiscate your equipment. The Guardia Civil may even seize the car you used to drive to the fishing spot as part of your fishing equipment. The Atlantic is generous; the Guardia Civil is not.
2. You should be aware of the size limits. The Canary Islands have clear rules – and the officials know them off by heart. Ignorance is no defence against a fine, but it does lead to lively discussions with the police.
3. You should know which fish can injure or poison you. The weever is small and highly poisonous. The stingray has a spine that’s not just for show. And moray eels look like a bad mood with teeth. And they don’t just bite the bait!
4. You must take the Atlantic seriously: its currents and its waves. The Atlantic is no quarry lake. The currents will sweep you out to the open sea in a matter of seconds. The waves come quickly, erratically and often just when you think you’ve got everything under control. A single big wave is enough to knock an angler off the rocks. You can find out more about the currents off the Canary Islands here.
5. You must be able to tell when the ground is wet. Wet volcanic rock is no coincidence. If the rock is wet, it means there has recently been a wave. And waves rarely come alone. Anyone who goes fishing there anyway is basically just waiting for the Atlantic to sweep them away. And you should never turn your back on the sea when you’re right by the coast.
6. You must not wear flip-flops. Flip-flops belong on the beach, not on cliffs or rocks. Anyone fishing there needs proper shoes with a grippy sole. Anything else is reckless.
7. Thou shalt not climb rocks alone. If you fall alone, no one will hear you, except perhaps a seagull. But a seagull won’t call for help.
8. You must not leave any rubbish behind. As well as ordinary rubbish, you must certainly not leave any tangles of fishing line lying around. In the water, they pose a danger to fish and turtles; on land, they pose a danger to birds.
9. You should use stronger tackle than you would at home. The fish here aren’t like the trout in the city park. They possess strength, weight and a determination that will mercilessly overwhelm light tackle. Anyone fishing with tackle that is too weak risks the fish escaping with the hook and leader still in its mouth, only to die a miserable death.
10. If you take a fish’s life, do so with the intention of eating it. Anyone who takes an animal’s life bears a responsibility. And that responsibility only ends on the plate. If you are not sure whether you can make use of your catch, you should not pull it out of the water in the first place. Anything else is a waste and shows a lack of respect for nature.
And then there’s a rule of courtesy: An angler respects other people’s choices. If a spot is already taken, you look for a spot of your own and keep a reasonable distance.
Respect for the sea is not a piece of advice, but a duty. Those who heed it protect themselves, nature and all those who come after them.
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