Soaked in blue and salt : EN PT
The proximity to the sea has played a major role in the development of the culture, identity and character of the Portuguese people.
With a coastline length of more than 1200 km, Portugal has one of Europe's largest exclusive economic zones of maritime space. The population's eating habits follow the country's long fishing tradition with high percentages of fish consumption (around 57 kg/year "per captita", more than double than the European average).
Despite of Portugal's ample maritime space, more than 70% of the fish has to be imported from other countries in order to meet the consumption demands. Our insatiable appetite for fish is having a devastating impact on marine ecosystems. Due to irrational and unsustainable fishing, a large number of species are disappearing at an alarming rate, such as tuna, swordfish, marlin, cod, halibut, skate, and flounder.
The growing scarcity of fish has been seriously affecting the lives of those who depend on the oceans. Despite of the difficulties, in the city of Peniche a large percentage of the population still remains dedicated to activities related to fishing. In this historical epicenter of Portuguese fishing tradition, the harbor is the scenery of a variety of work and leisure activities.
For fishermen who came from other parts of the country attracted by the abundance of species with good commercial value that used to characterize the region, the harbor is also their home. Low wages make it difficult to rent houses in the city, therefore the majority lives in groups in the warehouses along the harbor.
The fishermen, for whom the sea is their only source of income, point out overfishing as the main cause of the profound crisis that is affecting the industry, inevitably leading to the paralysis of traditional fishing. By documenting the daily life of the people of the sea, I am aiming to create a modern portrait of this community that has played an important role in the country's economic and socio-cultural development.
Back to Images