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Agriculture grants aid to fishing boat owners to compensate for the increase in the price of diesel due to the war in Ukraine

The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries has approved the concession and has processed the payment of 2,230,500 euros corresponding to the aid to the shipowners of the maritime fishing vessels of the Valencian Community, in order to compensate for the increase in the price of diesel, as a result of the war in Ukraine.

In total, 346 applications have been approved out of a total of 396 presented by owners of fishing vessels based in the Valencian Community. By province: in Alicante 176 applications have been approved for an amount of 1,436,048 euros, in Castellón 113 applications have been approved for a total amount of 564,659 euros and in Valencia 54 have been approved, for an amount of 229,791 euros.

These aids were announced last August and have subsidized the extra cost of diesel during the months of July to December 2022, depending on the days of activity of each ship, the gross tons or the capacity of the ship, and a estimate of consumption by art and fisherman. All the boats have been able to access these aids, regardless of the modality, which is why, in addition to the circle and drag, the smaller arts have also entered.

Trawlers built in wood

The Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, José Luis Aguirre, insists on another measure proposed to stabilize the situation in the sector, affected by the reduction of fishing days, consisting in the selective scrapping of trawlers built of wood .

These are more than thirty boats from the Valencian Community for which there are no longer shore carpenters to repair them. In addition, there is a lot of reluctance on the part of insurers.

Aguirre recalls that the Mediterranean today is a sea out of balance and Brussels has "tightened the pegs" to an unsustainable point (120 days/year of fishing effort). So the stock market of almost 4,000 days means a faster recovery and a higher distribution of days to go fishing.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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Agriculture grants aid to fishing boat owners to compensate for the increase in the price of diesel due to the war in Ukraine

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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