Barceloneta has always faced out to sea. For centuries, its boats have been the city’s lifeblood when it comes to food. Now, the Barcelona Fishermen’s Guild is taking it a step further and bringing the trade closer to schoolchildren, families and the general public through four pioneering projects, co-funded by the European Union. An educational kit, an immersive space to explore the fish market, a programme of activities to revive maritime culture, and the modernisation of the unloading facilities all aim to highlight the value of locally sourced fish and the living heritage of the fishing quay.
A century-old guild undergoing transformation
The Barcelona Fishermen’s Guild is not merely an institution with roots stretching back to medieval times. It is a living testament to the city’s history, a place where tradition meets innovation and where the sea remains at the heart of everything. But times change, and with them, the ways in which we engage with the port and with fishing. The Guild has successfully adapted, embracing new challenges and new audiences, and demonstrating that the fishing sector is not only essential to the local economy, but also to the culture and identity of Barceloneta. In 2026, thanks to the support of GALP Costa Central and FEMPA funding, the Fishermen’s Guild has launched a series of initiatives that represent a paradigm shift: moving from the stage into the classroom, transforming the fishing area into an open-air classroom and modernising the facilities to ensure a more sustainable future.
A treasure that travels to the classrooms: the ‘Fish, where do you come from?’ kit.
‘When young people know where the fish they eat comes from, they begin to appreciate it.’ This is the conviction that has led the Fishermen’s Guild to design the ‘Fish, where do you come from?’ educational kit, a resource that will be loaned out to schools along the Costa Central.
The kit, which has been created based on nearly 50 responses to a survey of the sector, includes everything from card games to role-play activities involving decision-making. ‘The fishermen and fisherwomen themselves, as well as fishmongers, have identified the priority issues for us: traceability, the role of the fishermen’s guilds and the recognition of local species,’ explains Noemí Fuster, the project coordinator.
One of the games generating the most interest is the ‘Healthy Eating for Secondary School’ activity, in which pupils have to manage the menu for a school canteen. In one of the scenario-based activities, pupils take on the role of the Fishermen’s Guild and must persuade the canteen to include less commonly sold species. It is a fun and interactive way of connecting young people with the reality of the sector and making them aware of the importance of eating locally sourced fish.
Espacio Pesca: experiencing the fish market from the inside
Espacio Pesca aims to transform the Multipurpose Hall and the Blue Fish Auction Hall into an educational centre open to the public. Schoolchildren, families and visitors will be able to learn about the journey fish take from the sea to the table, through immersive experiences and audiovisual resources.
The aim is for the public to understand that fishing is not just an economic activity, but forms part of our history and our identity. The space also aims to inspire vocations and strengthen the generational handover, connecting the port with the city and building a bridge between tradition and modernity.
Seafaring Culture: Celebration and Tradition at the Quay
The Fishermen’s Guild has also organised a series of open activities to revive seafaring culture. On 6 June, a public sardine feast took place; on 18 July, the feast of Our Lady of Carme was celebrated with the traditional maritime procession; and on 26 September, as part of the Barceloneta Festivities, there will be a grand tasting of seafood.
These activities aim to raise awareness of the ‘Pescado de la Barceloneta’ brand and encourage the consumption of locally sourced produce, conveying the message that buying fish from the fish market means buying quality, freshness and sustainability.
Modernisation of the landing platform: greater efficiency and safety
In addition to the three outreach projects, the Fishermen’s Guild has upgraded its unloading equipment with the purchase of stainless-steel pallet trucks. This new equipment has already been installed at the facilities and helps to improve hygiene and safety standards when transporting fish from the boats to the market.
These measures represent a step forward in the modernisation of the fish market and in the quality of the produce reaching the people of Barcelona, whilst also benefiting the entire fishing fleet based in our neighbourhood’s port, demonstrating once again that Barceloneta has always been, and continues to be, firmly rooted in the sea.
Four projects, one common goal:
The four projects, co-funded by the European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMFAF) and GALP Costa Central, aim to bring the fishing sector closer to the public, preserve maritime culture and promote locally sourced fish.
“The sea has sustained us for centuries. Now is the time to give back some of what it has given us, by explaining it, looking after it and ensuring it is cherished by future generations.”
