Canary Islands Recreational Fishing Permit Process for 2026

Overview

The Canary Islands government has finalized the process for awarding recreational fishing permits within the marine reserve around La Graciosa and northern Lanzarote for the upcoming year 2026.

After receiving requests from boat owners in late 2025, authorities reviewed and approved most applications, with eight being excluded for not meeting all requirements.

Permit Allocation and Lottery System

• Due to the limited number of spots—particularly for the List Seven boats—the administration will hold a public lottery on December 17, 2025, to determine the permit recipients among the eligible applicants.

"This move aims to regulate fishing activity in a protected area known for its ecological and economic importance."

Objectives and Regulations

• The reserve is designed to safeguard local marine biodiversity while allowing controlled recreational activities.
• Permit holders will need to submit monthly declarations of their catches.
• Failure to do so or non-compliance with surveillance obligations will lead to revocation of their authorization for future years.

Context and Significance

This process highlights the ongoing balancing act in Canary Islands marine policy:

• protecting ecological treasures
• managing fishing rights in a sustainable manner.

For residents and visitors sharing these waters, the lottery system marks a clear step towards more transparent, regulated access in an area of key environmental value.