'Marineros': The fishing industry in Spain from the inside

To mark International Workers' Day, Pesca España, the Spanish Association of National Fisheries Producer Organizations, is premiering 'Marineros' ('Sailors'), a documentary that offers an inside look at the fishing industry in Spain. The project aims to highlight the essential role of seafarers as the driving force behind a sector that is strategic for the economy, food security, and the sustainability of the oceans, while also reinforcing the organization's commitment to generational changeover and the training of new professionals.

"People need to understand everything that goes on behind the scenes"

With more than 8,600 vessels and an annual turnover exceeding EUR 2 billion, according to figures from Pesca España, the Spanish fishing industry provides direct employment to more than 66,000 people and serves as an economic and social pillar for numerous coastal communities, where the sector not only generates wealth but also fosters territorial cohesion and a sense of community.

Filmed aboard ships in Almería and Cádiz, both provinces in Andalusia, the documentary shows how every role—from the deck to the galley and the engine room—is essential to the operation of each participating vessel. The film features testimonials from various professionals in the industry who highlight the importance of fishing and the hard work and dedication required to be a fisher.

Among the testimonials featured are professionals with extensive experience at sea, such as "El rubio" ("The Blonde"), a deckhand with over 40 years of experience; Héctor, a deckhand and engineer who combines technical duties with crew support; Juan, a deckhand; and José Buenavista, who serves as both a deckhand and a cook on board.

Through these true stories of fishers and their families, 'Marineros' sheds light on daily life at sea and the wide range of jobs that make the fishing industry possible—a sector that combines tradition, innovation, and sustainability.

As María Ángeles Cayuela Campoy, a shipowner, fishing boat captain, and President of ASOPESCA-ANDMUPES (the Andalusian Association of Women in the Fishing Sector), explains, "People need to understand everything that goes on behind the scenes—what it's like to set out at dawn, to work in bad weather, in the cold, or in extreme heat."

"Fishers are out there not only to bring in catches that support their families, but also to provide the public with high-quality food. Sometimes that effort goes unrecognized, and it's nice for people to know what goes on behind the scenes—where the food they're eating comes from," she adds.

"My first grandson is the one who's taking the boat forward"

The documentary as a whole thus highlights the human, social, and professional value of the fishing industry, bringing into focus those who make daily fishing operations possible; however, it also addresses another issue that Pesca España has been working on for some time: the challenge of generational changeover and the continuity of many fishing families.

It does so by showcasing cases where not only the boats, but also the knowledge, are passed down from grandparents to children and grandchildren. "My first grandson is the one who's taking the boat forward… in a couple of years I'll step aside and he'll take over. I feel very proud," says José María, captain and owner of the MARÍA GADOR, a fishing vessel based in Almería.

'Marineros' thus joins the intensive and ongoing efforts led by the Spanish Association of National Fisheries Producer Organizations to address the challenge of generational changeover, in which awareness has established itself as an essential first step.

Among the initiatives launched—which range from promoting seafood consumption among young people to events aimed at raising awareness about product traceability—'Puerto Felicidad' ('Port of Happiness') stands out. This educational project uses innovative tools such as virtual reality to give young people a closer look at the day-to-day workings of the fishing industry and the career opportunities it offers.

The initiative, which has visited schools in various Spanish towns, has been complemented by participation in AULA, Spain's leading education fair, where career opportunities in the fishing industry were showcased through interactive experiences both last year and in 2026.

However, as Antonio Nieto, Director of Pesca España, points out, "raising awareness is the starting point for addressing generational changeover, but it is not enough on its own. It must be accompanied by appropriate policies, better working conditions, and a modernized fleet—with vessels that are more livable and adapted to current needs—to make the sector a real and attractive option for young people."