Vega fishing port: The auction is open!

The project aims to capitalise on an identified interest among the public in learning about traditional sustainable fishing practices and how fish is auctioned.

It builds on the main activity of the auction house by adding a tourism and cultural dimension, which directly benefits the local population and the fishing community.

An interactive route around the auction house has been developed, which allows visitors to experience and learn about the everyday activities of local fishermen. For €3 per adult (free entrance for children up to 12 years old), visitors are offered a guided tour by an employee of the cofradía, who is experienced in local fisheries activities.

An educational centre was also constructed and equipped to illustrate features and practices of local fisheries. Audio-visual material is used to make the tour more attractive to visitors, especially families with children and local schools.

Altogether, since it opened, over 1 200 people have visited the centre, which has generated around €3 000 in revenue. Visitors come from the local area and Spain in general but also from other European countries, mainly Germany and the United Kingdom.

The project has gained wide coverage in the national media and has become an important tourism attraction in the area, local hotels purchasing tickets in bulk to offer the tour to their clients for free. In the future, the cofradía expects to expand this guided tour by also organising excursions on fishing boats.

The FLAG ES21 "Navia-Porcía" of the programming period 2007-2013 supported the project.