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Photo reportage: Small-scale fishing in Tenerife

2609500 © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
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Artisanal fishing in Tenerife, between tradition and sustainability. Photographs by Sergio Hanquet

When we think of the fishing industry, it is easy to imagine huge boats crisscrossing the oceans and depleting marine resources. But this is not always the case! On the Canary Island of Tenerife, a traditional form of fishing still survives, practiced aboard small boats and using techniques that have very little impact on the environment.

This artisanal fishing is an integral part of the economic and cultural heart of many families on the island. It is not only their livelihood, but also a heritage passed down from generation to generation, conveying know-how, techniques, and respect for the sea.

However, in recent decades, the number of boats has declined significantly, jeopardizing the continuity of this activity. Despite this, every day, fishermen take to the sea and bring back fresh, local catches to the port: wrasse, yellowtail, grey mullet, trevally, and of course the famous shrimp so beloved by the inhabitants of Tenerife.

Biosphoto | 2609466 | Small natural pier at El Pris, in the municipality of Tacoronte. Coastal view of the northern part of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609466 RM
Small natural pier at El Pris, in the municipality of Tacoronte. Coastal view of the northern part [...]
Biosphoto | 2609471 | Port of Garachico, fishing sector. San Roque Fishermen's Guild and Isla Baja de Garachico, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609471 RM
Port of Garachico, fishing sector. San Roque Fishermen's Guild and Isla Baja de Garachico, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609472 | Fishing sector. Drum for moray eel fishing. It is a traditional, artisanal fishing technique, cylindrical in shape, with an opening or funnel through which moray eels can easily enter, but not exit. Fish are placed inside and left on the seabed, usually near rocks or caves where moray eels usually live. Fishermen's Guild of San Roque and Isla Baja, Garachico, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609472 RM
Fishing sector. Drum for moray eel fishing. It is a traditional, artisanal fishing technique, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609493 | Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife, Teide volcano in the background. Fishing sector. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a professional and artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Traps are placed on the seabed at depths of between 50 and 150 meters, and some fish are caught there. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly for local consumption. BOAT: El Terror de los Mares. FISHERMAN: Frisco. San Marcos Fishermen's Guild of Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609493 RM
Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife, Teide volcano in the background. Fishing sector. Shrimp [...]
Biosphoto | 2609495 | Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife. Fishing sector. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a professional and artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Traps are placed on the seabed at depths of between 50 and 150 meters, and some fish are caught there. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly for local consumption. BOAT: El Terror de los Mares. FISHERMAN: Frisco. San Marcos Fishermen's Guild of Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609495 RM
Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife. Fishing sector. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a [...]
Biosphoto | 2609494 | Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife. Fishing sector. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a professional and artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Traps are placed on the seabed at depths of between 50 and 150 meters, and some fish are caught there. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly for local consumption. BOAT: El Terror de los Mares. FISHERMAN: Frisco. San Marcos Fishermen's Guild of Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609494 RM
Fisherman on the north coast of Tenerife. Fishing sector. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a [...]
Biosphoto | 2609496 | Bocinegro (Pagrus pagrus) freshly caught from a shrimp trap. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609496 RM
Bocinegro (Pagrus pagrus) freshly caught from a shrimp trap. Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is [...]
Biosphoto | 2609497 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609497 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots [...]
Biosphoto | 2609498 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609498 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots [...]
Biosphoto | 2609499 | Measurement of the minimum authorized size of a fish (Red porgy: Pagrus pagrus). Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609499 RM
Measurement of the minimum authorized size of a fish (Red porgy: Pagrus pagrus). Shrimp fishing [...]
Biosphoto | 2609502 | Professional fishing sector. Artisanal fishing with cages for fish. Tenerife, Canary Islands. Atlantic Ocean, Macaronesia. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609502 RM
Professional fishing sector. Artisanal fishing with cages for fish. Tenerife, Canary Islands. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609500 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609500 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots [...]
Biosphoto | 2609501 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 50 and 150 meters, and which also catch some fish. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: El Puma. FISHERMAN: Ayoze Rodríguez (model release). Fishermen’s Guild of San Marcos in Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609501 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is an artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots [...]
Biosphoto | 2609487 | Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, Punta de Hidalgo. Municipality of La Laguna, north of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609487 RM
Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, Punta de Hidalgo. Municipality of La [...]
Biosphoto | 2609488 | Different types of fish and shrimp traps. Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, Punta de Hidalgo. Municipality of La Laguna, north of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609488 RM
Different types of fish and shrimp traps. Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la [...]
Biosphoto | 2609491 | Preparing bait (mackerel) for traps. Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, Punta de Hidalgo. Municipality of La Laguna, north of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609491 RM
Preparing bait (mackerel) for traps. Fishermen's Guild of Our Nuestra Señora de la Consolación, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609492 | Small-scale fishing sector. Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). An artisanal activity carried out from small boats. Pots (traps) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths between 20 and 150 meters, and which also catch fish and shrimp. The catch is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: Mercedes. FISHERMAN: Tenaman Bento (model release). Fishermen’s guild: San Marcos of Icod de los Vinos, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609492 RM
Small-scale fishing sector. Octopus (Octopus vulgaris). An artisanal activity carried out from [...]
Biosphoto | 2609489 | Weighing of fish just arrived at the port. Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Fishermen's Guild, Punta de Hidalgo, La Laguna Municipality, northern Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609489 RM
Weighing of fish just arrived at the port. Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Fishermen's Guild, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609490 | Weighing fish (groupers, moray eels, blacktail comber, etc.), octopus, and shrimp just arrived at port. Nuestra Señora de la Consolación Fishermen's Guild, Punta de Hidalgo, La Laguna Municipality, northern Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609490 RM
Weighing fish (groupers, moray eels, blacktail comber, etc.), octopus, and shrimp just arrived at [...]
Biosphoto | 2609486 | Fishing sector – Professional artisanal fishing techniques. Longlining is a small-scale fishing technique using hooks and baits developed from small boats. It consists of a horizontal main line from which vertical secondary lines with hooks extend. The catches obtained are mainly for local consumption: black sea bream, sea bream, sea bream, moray eels, etc. BOAT: Nenita. FISHERMAN: Francis. Gran Poder de Dios Fishermen's Guild, Puerto de la Cruz, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609486 RM
Fishing sector – Professional artisanal fishing techniques. Longlining is a small-scale fishing [...]
Biosphoto | 2609482 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps (pots) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths of 50 to 150 meters. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: Drago. FISHERMAN: José Lucio León Díaz (model release). San Roque and Isla Baja Fishermen’s Guild of Garachico, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609482 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps [...]
Biosphoto | 2609483 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps (pots) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths of 50 to 150 meters. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: Drago. FISHERMAN: José Lucio León Díaz (model release). San Roque and Isla Baja Fishermen’s Guild of Garachico, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609483 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps [...]
Biosphoto | 2609484 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps (pots) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths of 50 to 150 meters. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: Drago. FISHERMAN: José Lucio León Díaz (model release). San Roque and Isla Baja Fishermen’s Guild of Garachico, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609484 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps [...]
Biosphoto | 2609485 | Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps (pots) are used, which are placed on the seabed at depths of 50 to 150 meters. It is practiced year-round, although catches are more abundant in summer. Production is mainly destined for local consumption. VESSEL: Drago. FISHERMAN: José Lucio León Díaz (model release). San Roque and Isla Baja Fishermen’s Guild of Garachico, Tenerife. Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609485 RM
Shrimp fishing (Plesionika narval) is a traditional activity carried out from small boats. Traps [...]
Biosphoto | 2609480 | Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609480 RM
Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609479 | Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609479 RM
Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609481 | Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609481 RM
Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609478 | Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609478 RM
Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609477 | Parrot fish (Sparisoma cretense) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609477 RM
Parrot fish (Sparisoma cretense) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609476 | Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609476 RM
Pink dentex (Dentex gibbosus) recently brought to the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector. [...]
Biosphoto | 2609475 | Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609475 RM
Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609474 | Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609474 RM
Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609473 | Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, professional and traditional fishing. San Roque and Isla Baja de Garachico Fishermen's Guild, Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609473 RM
Evisceration of a moray eel recently brought into the Port of Garachico. Fishing sector, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609468 | Evisceration of a conger eel (conger conger). Fisherman (Melchor Herrera Fariña, Senior Skipper - Model release). Fishing sector. Professional and traditional fishing. El Pris natural pier, Tacoronte municipality. Nuestra Señora del Carmen Fishermen's Guild, El Pris. North of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609468 RM
Evisceration of a conger eel (conger conger). Fisherman (Melchor Herrera Fariña, Senior Skipper - [...]
Biosphoto | 2609469 | Weighing of freshly caught fish (parrotfish, sea bream, blacktail comber, pink dentex, etc.). Nuestra Señora del Carmen Fishermen's Guild, El Pris, Municipality of Tacoronte, north of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609469 RM
Weighing of freshly caught fish (parrotfish, sea bream, blacktail comber, pink dentex, etc.). [...]
Biosphoto | 2609470 | Weighing freshly caught fish (parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense). Nuestra Señora del Carmen Fishermen's Guild, El Pris, Municipality of Tacoronte, north of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609470 RM
Weighing freshly caught fish (parrotfish, Sparisoma cretense). Nuestra Señora del Carmen [...]
Biosphoto | 2609467 | Weighing an octopus (Octopus vulagris) and freshly caught fish. Fishermen's Guild of El Pris, Nuestra Señora del Carmen. North of Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609467 RM
Weighing an octopus (Octopus vulagris) and freshly caught fish. Fishermen's Guild of El Pris, [...]
Biosphoto | 2609465 | Canarian gastronomy, stewed shrimp. Professional fishing sector. Artisanal fishing with cages for shrimp (Plesionika narval). Tenerife, Canary Islands. Atlantic Ocean, Macaronesia. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609465 RM
Canarian gastronomy, stewed shrimp. Professional fishing sector. Artisanal fishing with cages for [...]
Biosphoto | 2609464 | Freshly caught shrimp (Plesionika narval). The image shows the laying of blue eggs. They are caught using traditional pots. Canarian cuisine. Fishing sector. Tenerife, Canary Islands. | © Sergio Hanquet / Biosphoto
2609464 RM
Freshly caught shrimp (Plesionika narval). The image shows the laying of blue eggs. They are caught [...]