Fuerteventura News Roundup May 2017

New Mayor in La Oliva

Isaí Blanco (CC), aged just 31, has become the youngest-ever Mayor of La Oliva. He became the third Mayor of the current legislature following former mayor, Domingo González Arroyo, being banned from public service and, more recently, Pedro Amador, who was ejected following a judicial ruling approving a Motion of no-confidence.

Fuerteventura to create a network of Campsites

The Cabildo of Fuerteventura has approved a measure to create a network of campsites on the Island. Camping is strictly restricted in the Canary Islands, and designated Camping Sites must be used in order to camp legally. Demand, especially from Motorhomes and Caravans, has increased dramatically in recent years.

Beach Wedding Shut Down

Environmental Agents shut down a wedding that was taking place on the Roque del Moro Beach in the Jandia Natural Park. The event, which was taking up 200m² on the beach, complete with Marquee, Barbecue, Chemical toilets, Refrigerators, Bar and Generator, did not have the appropriate permissions. Although the organisers had permission from the Fuerteventura Cabildo, they did not have the requisite permits from the local council or Costas (the Spanish Coastline Authority).

Fuerteventura will fly 8 Blue Flags for 2017

La Oliva will have the most blue flags with Corralejo Viejo, Charco de Las Agujas and Grandes Playas (all in Corralejo), and playa de La Concha (in El Cotillo). In Puerto del Rosario; Playa Blanca, Puerto Lajas and Los Pozos have all been awarded blue flag status.
Pajara will have just one Blue Flag in 2017 (Butihondo), having lost the previously held distinction for Matorral and Morro Jable. Pajara Council refused to install buoys on these beaches to prevent fishing boats from approaching the shore, a requirement that was requested by the Blue Flag inspectors after they observed local fishing boats using the area. Surprisingly, Pajara Council have said that they may not even apply for Blue flag status for any beaches in the future. Blue Flags are awarded on a variety of criteria including water quality, public facilities and safety.

Egyptian Vultures paint themselves with mud

A study by the Centro Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), has revealed that Egyptian Vultures on the island actively paint themselves red using mud. It had previously been noticed that many individuals of the Fuerteventura Subspecies (Neophron percnopterus majorensis) displayed a reddish colouring, when this bird normally has white plumage. The study, first published in The Scientific Naturalist, confirms the hypothesis that birds are deliberately painting themselves, though the reasons why remain less clear.

Movies, Movies, Movies

Apart from the Star Wars’ Han Solo movie, currently being filmed in the Cañada de la Barca area in the south of Fuerteventura, another project, Don Quijote is simultaneously being shot in the North of the Island. The film, which stars Jonathan Pryce (known for his role as High Sparrow in Game of Thrones) is being directed by Terry Gilliam, of Monty Python fame.