The origin linked to the sea of Santa Cruz de Tenerife

The influence of the sea, fishing and the port in the municipality is enormous. A very enlightening example is that one of the inhabitants of Santa Cruz, ‘chicharreros’, comes from the name of a fish. Originally, this was the name given to fishermen who arrived at the beaches with this species, and later it was extended to all its inhabitants. It was the port that developed the small town that grew around the activity it generated. In 1797, after being attacked by the English, who were defeated, and in recognition of the courage shown, the growing town was granted the title of Villa.

And today, in the 21st century, what influence does it still have? Let’s stick to fishing. The island has a very large concentration of fishing guilds, there are 10, with about 400 boats employing about 500 people. To these jobs should be added the associated, indirect jobs, such as ship repairs or the refrigeration industry. Fishing therefore represents a not inconsiderable percentage of Tenerife’s economy.

One of these brotherhoods is in the municipality, in the town of San Andrés, where the fisherman continues to be a socially important figure. But it also influences the economy, fishing is a generator of wealth in the locality, as it supplies fish to a large number of nearby restaurants. San Andres is associated with the consumption of this product. The fishing refuge itself has a direct sales point for fish, where boats from other island guilds can go. There the species that predominate are those fished in the vicinity, such as vieja, sama, cabrilla, sargo… or something more oceanic such as chicharros, sardines and mackerels… among other species. Few towns in Tenerife are as closely linked to an economic activity as San Andrés is to the fishing sector.

But Santa Cruz de Tenerife also has the Dársena Pesquera, which houses the fish market, naval services, freezer warehouses and wholesale and retail outlets. Of the fish that is not sold in the municipality, tuna, yellowfin tuna, skipjack tuna, bluefin tuna and bonito are mainly destined for other national markets. This dock is a larger, more industrial port, mainly intended for boats larger than 12 meters, but fishing with rods, so sustainability is still a priority. These boats are prepared for longer days at sea and sometimes fish far from the island, even off the coast of Africa. Both ports and their work keep Santa Cruz de Tenerife’s bond with its fishermen strong.