Pescatourism and sightings
Although it may seem paradoxical in relation to the central concept, fishing-related tourism is not limited exclusively to the action of boarding a fishing boat and fishing. Of course, this is one of the main attractions for tourists who visit ports and docks, since it is a new experience for them. However, there are various activities that can be carried out without having to participate in the tasks of fishing, and a sustainable tourism offer must have a broad vision that is not limited to a single activity, no matter how attractive it may be.
With this introduction, we can now identify two different categories of fishing-related experiences: activities on board a fishing boat and whale watching from the same boat and activity from other boats specialized in whale watching.
The activity on the fishing boat represents the most attractive option in terms of tourism linked to fishing. In this case, the tourist is given the opportunity to live the experience of being on board a fishing boat. Normally, this activity is carried out on the high seas, although it can also be carried out in port, especially when weather conditions make it advisable.
Here we can distinguish two groups of offers: on the one hand, those related to tourist fishing, especially highlighting the sustainable practices that are already being implemented in the sector, and on the other hand, those related to nature observation, specifically bird watching. of cetaceans.
As can be seen from all the information presented on sustainable tourism and whale watching, for this activity to be carried out effectively in a certain area, and in particular on the coast of Granada, it is necessary to have some resources, the fishing boats that have be involved in tourism development.
For this reason, the different technical feasibility requirements of fishing vessels are analyzed for their adaptation to tourism fishing and in particular cetacean observation.
Technical viability in fishing vessels
Royal Decree 239/2019
Royal Decree 239/2019, of April 5, establishes the conditions for the development of fishing-tourism activity and:
• It includes a general framework of security measures and elements.
• It unifies the criteria that maritime captaincies must follow when granting fishing-tourism authorizations throughout Spanish territory.
Its purpose is nothing more than to regulate, as a complementary activity to the fishing sector, the basic conditions for the development of fishing-tourism activity with respect to extractive activity and aquaculture carried out on board fishing vessels.
Technical requirements that must be met
Fishing vessel intended for tourism fishing: professional fishing vessels and vessels included in the third list of the registry of auxiliary fishing vessels and vessels, included in the fourth list.
Only in national fishing grounds under established conditions (seasons, schedules, catch limits, gear, closed seasons, authorized areas).
Tourists on board cannot carry out fishing activities
Skipper Responsibilities:
Write down in role and maintain the record of tourists
It is responsible for the appropriate weather and safety conditions in which the boarding of tourists takes place.
It cannot admit the boarding of minors without the authorization of or of people who require special assistance in conditions that are not compatible with the safe practice of the activity.
Maximum number of tourists allowed
List 3 Vessel:
Up to 8 meters in length: 2 tourists.
+8-12 meters in length: 4 tourists.
+12-20 meters in length: 8 tourists.
+20 meters in length: 12 tourists.
List 4 Vessel:
Auxiliary fishing vessels (not extractive fishing)
Up to 8 meters in length: 4 tourists.
+8-12 meters in length 8 tourists.
+12 meters in length: 12 tourists.
Habitability and safety conditions on the boat
Minimum security crew never less than 2 crew members
The table of obligations and instructions for emergency cases is mandatory, taking into account that at least one of the crew members must attend to the needs of tourists.
Tourists must be provided in writing:
Information about the vessel
Recommendations on security measures to comply with
Conditions under which the activity will be carried out in accordance with RD1216/1997, of July 18, which establishes the minimum provisions for safety and health at work on board fishing vessels.
The information must be at least in English and Spanish.
Spaces on board and the presence of tourists.
Spaces must be enabled on board, adapted for people with disabilities, where appropriate, where tourists are free of danger, delimited, the floor must be non-slip to prevent falls and be provided with handholds where tourists can hold on.
For fishing-tourism activities lasting more than 16 hours, the vessel must have adequate habitability for this purpose, and this fact must be verified by the maritime captain.
Tourists are also prohibited from accessing checkpoints, service spaces, machinery spaces and certain areas of the ship during maneuvers that involve risk.
Rotating and hot elements must be properly protected and out of reach of tourists.
The handling of fishing gear and auxiliary elements will be carried out taking into account at all times the presence on board of unfamiliar people .
You must have, if possible, in a visible place, a document - issued by the maritime captain's office - that includes the content of the ship's certificate of conformity. It will be noted that the ship has the favorable report from the maritime captain's office. Likewise, you will not be able to carry out the fishing-tourism activity, no vessel that has been granted any exemption related to compliance with certain technical measures in relation to the Vessel, whether life rafts, immersion suits or handrails.
Fishing vessel adaptation model by TRIP&Feel Company.
Rescue and safety elements
In the section of rescue and safety elements that the ship must have, an investment is also required in the acquisition of said material in terms of sufficient number and type for all people boarding:
One life jacket with radio beacon mandatory on board per person.
One life jacket for abandoning ship per tourist on vessels over 12 meters plus an additional one for every six people, including crew members.
One place on a life raft (ISO) per tourist.
Incorporation of an additional pond (prescriptions of the existing one).
Onboard first aid kit for the crew, appropriate to the type of navigation carried out by the ship in accordance with Royal Decree 258/1999.
Additional first aid kit, of the rescue raft type, for other people boarding.
Other administrative requirements
Mandatory civil liability insurance must be available in accordance with the requirements of article 7 of Royal Decree 239/2019, of April 5.
Fishing-tourism activities will be carried out in all cases by professionals from the fishing sector covered by the Special Social Security Regime for Sea Workers, in accordance with the provisions of article 12.1 of Royal Decree 239/2019, of April 5. .
The legal regime provided for in article 3.1 of Royal Decree 239/2019, of April 5, applies to tourists who participate in fishing and aquaculture diversification activities carried out from a boat.
The fishing vessel must have a poster and copies of the complaints sheet book, in accordance with the provisions of Decree 472/2019, of May 28, which regulates the complaints and claims sheets of consumers and users in Andalusia and its administrative processing.
Adaptation of fishing vessels
The minimum cost involved in adapting to this new regulation for a fishing boat between 8 and 12 meters in length that intends to carry 4 tourists would rise to 4,000 euros (raft, vests with radio beacon and first aid kit) without counting the annual inspections, the boarding bridge or the fitting out of the ship, such as non-slip flooring and other habitability measures.
Application in Andalusia
All the documentation and procedures to be presented are those included in Decree 129/2021, of March 30, which regulates and promotes fishing-tourism activity and other fishing and aquaculture diversification activities in the Autonomous Community of Andalusia.
First step:
Fill out and sign a Responsible Declaration for the start of fishing and aquaculture diversification activities: fishing tourism, fishing or marine tourism and aquaculture tourism.
Documentation to present:
a) NIF of the interested natural or legal person and, where applicable, of the person who represents them with the documentation that proves said representation.
b) Documentation proving the legal personality of the entity and the composition of the shareholders or capital, where applicable.
c) Responsible declaration in accordance with the development of the diversification activity, signed by the person who owns the vessel, or the facility when it is not the person who is going to develop said fishing or aquaculture diversification activity.
d) Documentation accrediting the licenses, authorizations, concessions and permits that apply depending on the diversification activity to be developed and the place where it will be carried out.
e) Report of the activity that is intended to be carried out with the description of the technical means and resources that will be used, of the vessel or of the installation, depending on the case and the main activity that is complemented, identifying the sex of the person or persons. who will carry out the activity. The report will relate the intended purposes with the diversification activity to be developed, established in article 3.2.
To complete the procedure online visit this link