Up to several decades ago, fishing in our seas, as in other countries in the same region and with the same culture, has always been carried out using artisan methods. The development of this activity has taken place at the same rate as the incorporation of technology, particularly from the Second World War onwards, which converted the wooden barracks into authentic plants for producing fish efficiently and safely.
This does not mean that during previous centuries, no changes have taken place in fishing methods or technological development, although the truth is, these changes have been very modest.Such changes have been due to need: fish populations have always been subject to natural fluctuations in terms of abundance, even before men started to over-exploit fishing resources, and the reasons for these fluctuations are related to the complex mechanisms that govern marine eco-systems and the way they inter-react with the climate.
In any case, during times of low abundancein respect of a particular species, fishermen have always found a way to modify pre-existing techniques and methods and make up for small catches.These changes which were, in principle, not accepted by everyone, since there were considered ineffectual or harmful to the species, were eventually adopted by the entire fleet once they had been proved to be valid.
However, on the return of the periods of abundance of the species, the old methods were no longer used, and these minor technological developments were gradually and finally incorporated into the “know-how” of fishermen. Inthis way, techniques and methods have evolved from the rudimentary harpoons, beach encircling nets and primitive trammel nets, and gradually been increased the fishing capacity of the fleets.
Currently, the spectacular technological developments have led to an important decline fall in the populations ofmost species of fish sold in the market, in such a way that it has been necessary to implant increasingly strictregulations to correctly control the fishing of those species. In the constant process of change and improvements with regard to technology, the problem is no longer how to increase catches but to do so effectively and safely, i.e., obtaining the same output with a minimum of effort (in time, number of boats, fuel, etc.).
Other innovations applied in order to obtain economic profits and competitiveness are aimed at the concept of “added-value”, based on catching and processing fish using methods that will optimise its value on the market, through improved presentation, freshness, size, etc. Also, there are currently technologies existing that enable the catching of the permitted species or population segment, and letting the other fish escape, thereby complying with the legislation.
The fishing techniques most often used in the Basque Country fleet are:
Los municipios que integran esta Red son los municipios bizkainos de Bermeo, Elantxobe, Lekeitio, Lemoiz, Mundaka, Ondarroa y Zierbena y los municipios Gipuzkoanos de Getaria, Hondarribia, Mutriku, Orio, Pasaia, y Zumaia.
Si algo caracteriza al País Vasco es la excelencia de su cocina y la calidad de sus restaurantes, desde los más sofisticados. las mesas más humildes.
Udalarrantz - Red de municipios pesqueros del País Vasco