El Cabildo lidera proyecto para mejorar gestión migratoria en ruta Atlántica.

AGAMENON is dedicated to the detection and tracking of migratory flows through high-altitude and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles

The coordination will be led by the Cabildo de Fuerteventura from the Technological Park, along with the Government of the Canary Islands and with the support of the National Police, Gambia, and Senegal

The Cabildo de Fuerteventura, through the Technological Park, leads a pioneering initiative to improve migratory management on the Atlantic route to the Canary Islands, using advanced monitoring technologies that will provide an early and effective response to migratory flows, as well as ensuring adequate reception and protection conditions.

Part of the INTERREG MAC Madeira-Azores-Canary Islands Territorial Cooperation Program for the period 2021-2027, the project is aimed at detecting and tracking migratory flows through cameras and heat sensors embedded in high-altitude and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles. These platforms will conduct long-duration flights from the Canarias Stratoport for HAPS and UAS operations base, while the data will be analyzed by the ISSEC Center, both linked to the ‘Canarias Geo Innovation Program 2030’ at the Technological Park.

The president of the Cabildo, Lola García, highlighted that «Fuerteventura has become a reference in innovation and the use of aerospace technologies, putting them to the benefit of people.»

In this regard, García pointed out that «just over two months ago we presented a key initiative for biodiversity protection, and today the Technological Park leads another much-needed project for our Archipelago, as it focuses on providing an effective and preventive response in migratory management, which will save lives and protect people, especially unaccompanied minors.»

García added, «we must implement all possible mechanisms to address an unprecedented humanitarian crisis on the deadliest migratory route in the world.» «We are not talking about numbers: these are women, men, boys, and girls risking their lives in unbearable conditions.»

On his part, the president of the Canary Islands, Fernando Clavijo, announced that «a pioneering project in the world is being launched to save lives and monitor the actions of migratory mafias in the Southern European border.» The leader of the Canarian government emphasized that «this project – which will be tendered in the coming weeks and whose first flights will start operating in the summer of 2025 – will allow us not only to anticipate resource planning, especially regarding unaccompanied minors, but most importantly, to save their lives.»

He continued, «this is one of those practical examples of how R&D+i allows us to respond to challenges like migration and to anticipate how migratory mafias operate» on the so-called Canarian Route, where he recalled that 9,757 people lost their lives just last year.

The AGAMENON project requires close collaboration between countries that are sources and receivers of migratory flows. The coordination will be led by the Cabildo de Fuerteventura from the Technological Park, along with the Government of the Canary Islands, and with the support of the National Police, the High Police Headquarters of the Canary Islands, the Ministry of the Interior of Gambia, and the General Directorate of the National Police of Senegal.

The Chief Superintendent of Police of the Canary Islands, Jesús María Gómez, highlighted «a project of great relevance that will allow adapting technological solutions on the ground and ensuring their effectiveness in the challenging management of migration in our autonomous community.»

Likewise, the National Immigration Commissioner of Gambia, Binta K. J. Barrow, emphasized «the urgency of this situation» and thanked the joint commitment to improve migratory management with an innovative project.

With an investment of 1.86 million euros, with contributions from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the project focuses on innovative solutions that will enable early detection of vessels on the Atlantic route, anticipatory management of necessary resources for reception, and improved identification of unaccompanied minors to ensure adequate reception conditions.

The project presentation also involved the island’s Innovation Councilor, Rayco León, the Councilor for Universities, Science, Innovation, and Culture, Migdalia Machín, the Mayor of Puerto del Rosario, David de Vera, and María Jesús de la Cruz as the island’s Director of the General State Administration, as well as the manager of the Technological Park, Eduardo Pereira.

It also had the attendance of observers from the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex), the European Police Cooperation Agency (Europol), and the European Commission.