Tuna from the Almadrava, a fishing and gastronomic tradition

On this trip we will discover the deep waters that bathe the Cadiz coast and the Straight of Gibraltar, where the Atlantic and Mediterranean merge, to follow the route of the highly valued Red Tuna.

In April and May, tuna migrate from the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean in search of warmer water to spawn and reproduce.

This is when the Almadraba, or tunny fishing, begins, an age-old fishing tradition which was started by the Phoenicians in the area, continued by the Romans, and remains strong today.

Known for its Trap nets, this activity takes place in the Cadiz towns of Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate, Conil de la Frontera, Chiclana and Tarifa.

Its name, of Arab origins, means "fighting place”, since tuna fishing using this technique is a real fight between man and the species.

Today, it is possible to see this traditional art of fishing up-close from a boat close to the almadraba with Nature Tarifa. A unique experience!

The "Levantá” begins when anglers begin to lift the nets and surround the tuna with their boats, which fight with great force in the water.

A moment when the movement of water caused by the flapping of the tuna is really impressive.

Once the nets have been lifted, the fishermen begin to lift the enormous tunas to the boats where they are stored and taken to auction at the market.

From the sea to the table, red tuna of the Almadraba is considered as the gastronomic gem from the Atlantic, since almost all of it can be used to prepare endless recipes.

In May, in the towns of Conil, Zahara de los Atunes, Barbate and Tarifa, gastronomy days are held, where you can try dishes in the restaurants of these Cadiz towns.

The fishing activity doesn't stop in the Cadiz ports all year round, and therefore, you can see fishermen coming in and going out in their boats during any season.

One way to discover the fishing activity is to visit the market in Conil, where fish recently caught from the sea are auctioned every day.

You can see the different species of local fish and watch the auction process, where lots of fish are sold at a surprising speed.

In Barbate, you can visit the HERPAC preserves and brine factory, where you can learn about the preserve, salting and smoking process.

A complete explanation of how their products are produced, including a ronqueo (quartering of the tuna) of the tuna all year round using the yellowfin tuna.

In addition to tuna, they prepare tinned mackerel, cod, octopus and salmon. At the end of the visit, you can enjoy a tasting accompanied by local wine, and you can buy any of their products.

In Conil, we recommend a visit to the Interpretation Centre and Sea Documentation, Tuna and Almadrabas, better known as the Almadraba Tuna Museum, located in the old workshop of La Chanca, now restored as a museum, where tuna have been quartered and salted since the Renaissance.

It's a very interesting visit, where you can find out how tuna is captured through models.

A representation of the types of fishing in the Almadraba and the complexity of this network or nets and anchors in the sea.

A real labyrinth of fixed nets that guide tuna to the point where they'll be trapped, and from there the boats can lift the nets and catch the tuna.

Each part of the Almadraba has its own name and here they can explain each of their functions.

An exciting journey where you will soak up the culture, tradition and cuisine of this special area in the province of Cadiz.

Follow the trajectory of the Tuna with us...