MARE-NOVA takes part in Fishermen's Day celebrations in Costa da Caparica
On May 31st, Costa da Caparica stopped to celebrate its fishers, and the MARE-NOVA team was there.
On May 31st, the MARE-NOVA team joined the Fishermen's Day celebrations at the fishers' berths in Praia Nova, Costa da Caparica. The event, organised by ALA-ALA (Associação de Pesca Artesanal, Local e Costeira e de Apoio Social aos Pescadores) in collaboration with other local organisations, was a moment of celebration for the fishing community, maritime heritage, and the traditional fishing arts of the region.
MARE-NOVA's presence, in coordination with NOVA FCT, provided an opportunity to share different projects and initiatives underway in the municipality of Almada, with a particular focus on the work developed alongside the fishing communities of Costa da Caparica and Fonte da Telha. Throughout the day, the team shared information on research activities, maritime heritage, coastal sustainability, and local community engagement.
Among the initiatives presented was the upcoming launch of the book Costa da Caparica, Capital da Arte Xávega, developed by NOVA FCT/MARE and scheduled for June 25th. The book is part of the ADREPES programme dedicated to fishing arts, taking place in Costa da Caparica and co-organised by ADREPES, the Municipality of Almada, and NOVA FCT under the PRR OIL framework. A training programme for fishers on electronic net identification, to be implemented within the same framework, was also announced.
During the celebrations, an exhibition dedicated to the Sustainable Development Goals highlighted the connections between fishing activity, ocean sustainability, coastal community empowerment, and the protection of marine ecosystems.
The event unfolded in a spirit of strong community engagement, stretching into sunset with shared meals featuring local fish, fado performed by fishers, and awareness activities focused on traditional fishing arts, particularly the Arte Xávega, a practice characteristic of Costa da Caparica.
MARE-NOVA's participation reinforces MARE's commitment to applied research, ocean literacy, coastal heritage, and close collaboration with the communities that live and work by the sea.
Text by: João Pequeno