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MARCH

Fuerte in the frontline in fight to stop bird flu spreading to Europe

Fuerteventura is at the forefront of the battle to stop bird flu spreading to Europe.

Spain’s battle to stop bird flu spreading to Europe will begin in Fuerteventura, the island closest to the African coast and part of the migratory route for thousands of birds from Europe and Africa every autumn and spring.   

 The Canarian Government’s department of Agriculture, Fishing and Nutrition has requested that the salt wetland of Jandia (Saladar of Jandia) is included in the “at risk” areas.

 The new precautionary measures are aimed at increasing avian monitoring and analysis particularly in areas of high humidity visited by migratory birds.

 The Saladar of Jandia is the most important wetland in the Canaries It is where potentially the largest concentration of migratory birds can be found. Birds will be closely monitored and at least 15 samples for analysis will be taken daily.

News: Ex-mayors oppose name change

Former Mayors have come out against plans to change the name of the capital of Puerto del Rosario.

A group of campaigners wanted to change the name back to its original title, Puerto Cabras (Port of Goats) - see story below.

The newspaper La Provincia organised a forum  of ex-mayors of the capital. And the consensus was to stick with the present name.

News: Fuerte's Italian Job

A new flight is to connect Fuerteventura with Milan from April 10.

During 2005, Fuerteventura received a total of 61,588 Italian visitors, representing a 93.31% increase over 2004.

If the trend continues, Italy will push Ireland into fourth place in terms of the number of visitors to the island placing them third behind the UK and Germany.

February

News : Maria is Queen

Maria Guardia Sanchez walked away with the title of Puerto del Rosario Carnval Queen after winning over the judges with her costume of Scarlet O'Hara from the film Gone with the Wind.

Carnival celebrations, as usual, continued well into the night.

News : Name change for capital?

A campaign is underway to change the name of the capital, Puerto del Rosario, back to its original name.

Aimed to coincide with the 50^th anniversary of the capital’s name change, a group of locals have banded together to reclaim Puerto Del Rosario’s original name of  “Puerto Cabras.”

The name was changed over 50 years ago by the ruling middle classes who felt that being called “Port of Goats” was humiliating.
 

The names of both Puerto Cabras and Puerto Del Rosario would live on. The main city, now known as Puerto Del Rosario, would be given back its original name and the name Puerto Del Rosario would go to the surrounding area.

News : Farmers welcome rainfall

Fuerteventura’s farmers are delighted by this winter’s heavy rainfall.

Farmers have agreed: “This winter has been good - the crops won’t have a problem growing although they are delayed due to the cold weather.”

Locals living in Mezque, a tiny village in Pajara, have been amazed at the intensity of the rainfall which even managed to fill the dry river bed of Ajuy.

 The abundance of fresh grass and herbs will also improve the milk production of the goats and according to producers, cheese and meat are of a better quality and flavour.

News : Multicultural island

Columbians followed by Germans and then Moroccans represent the largest foreign communities on the island. Brits come in fourth place with a population of 2,646 registered residents, most of which live in Antigua and La Oliva.