We select the best of the sea
To prepare all our Serrats preserves, we require coastal fish that have been caught respecting traditional fishing gear.
Of the good the best
For several centuries, boats from Cantabrian ports have set out to sea using small rowing and sailing boats to capture the Tune Thunnus Alalunga with a hook fishing techniques. This practice was the most used until the live bait technique emerged in the middle of this century.
Our fishing techniques
Purse seine fishing
Anchovy is traditionally caught through purse seine fishing, a selective and environmentally friendly way that consists of capturing fish that swim in schools on the surface or in mid-water. Once the school of anchovies has been detected, the net is released nearby to surround it and closed at the bottom.
Trolling fishing techniques
It is the oldest and used by the majority of the Basque fleet. The tuna boats deploy long 'perches' with hooks on both sides so that the tuna follow the trail of the camouflaged baits and bite the hook. They are then hoisted on board by hand with reels.
Live bait
Catches are larger, but require more crew. The boats fish for anchovies or green fish, leaving them alive in seawater nurseries for use them as bait later. Once the tuna shoal is located, the boat positions itself on it, and the sailors begin to 'solidify' the sea by throwing the live bait next to the boat.