Every springtime, off the coast of southern Spain, fishermen gather to catch the bluefin tuna—the fiercest and most dangerous variety—using the ancient practice of “Almadraba
“Almadraba” is the name given to a type of ancient fishing art that has existed since Phoenician times. Off the southern Spanish coast, in the springtime, the arrival of the migrating bluefin tuna is eagerly awaited. The bluefin tuna is the wildest, fiercest variety, with the largest specimens approaching 500 kg (~1,000 lbs.). This project shows fishing in Conil, Cadiz, during the 2013 fishing season.
Garum is Antonio Gonzalez Caro’s record of an ancient and specific art of fishing called ‘almadraba’. A practice that only continues today in Cádiz and Morocco, it consists of the fisherman using a trap to capture bluefin tuna. The method has been heavily criticised as the species is under threat, though it is also said that almadraba is much more respectful of fish and sustainable than other fishing practices.
