Punta del Hidalgo Fishermen’s Guild Secures Legal Control of Port Facilities

The official transfer of the Punta del Hidalgo port facilities to the Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Fishermen's Guild marks a major shift for Tenerife’s coastline. This new agreement ends a long period of legal uncertainty, officially granting the guild the right to manage the site—a responsibility they had been handling unofficially for years.

Under the initial four-year, renewable agreement, the guild will now oversee the fish market, storage areas, and general maintenance. This move is designed to give the local fishing community greater financial independence, reducing their reliance on public funding. By managing these services themselves, the guild—which supports nearly 30 professionals and 14 small-scale fishing boats—aims to secure its own economic future.

The guild’s business model focuses on selling directly to customers, cutting out middlemen to increase profits. Unlike many other fishing ports facing an aging workforce, Punta del Hidalgo is seeing a positive trend: several young fishermen, aged 23 to 30, have recently joined, ensuring the trade will continue for the next generation.

Looking ahead, the guild is also supporting the creation of the Anaga Marine Reserve. Head skipper David Lorenzo views this not as a restriction, but as a vital step to help the local ecosystem recover from overfishing. The proposal uses specific zoning to protect species caught by traditional methods like fish traps and longlines, ensuring the long-term health of the sea.

With plans to modernize the docks and renovate the pier restaurant, the guild is building a self-sufficient future. Now that their legal status is secure, the community is focused on improving efficiency and preserving a way of life that remains central to the local identity of Punta del Hidalgo.