One of the richest and most valued ecosystems in the Spanish fishing sector is the Cantabrian Sea, a sea that offers us some of the most prized fish in Spanish gastronomy.
To ensure the quality of the fish and the sustainability of marine resources, every year, fishing activity follows a well-defined calendar, marked by the seasonality of the most demanded species such as anchovy (raw material for boquerones and anchovies) and albacore tuna.
At Pujadó Solano, we closely monitor each fishing season to ensure we work with the best raw material, respecting the natural cycles of each species and committing to sustainable fishing.
The anchovy season – From March to June
At the end of March, the season begins when anchovy (the fish species known as Engraulis encrasicolus) enters its spawning period. During this time, which lasts until June, anchovy concentrates all its fat in the roe, allowing the flesh of its loins to have a low fat content.
This natural phenomenon is key to the production of top-quality anchovies, as the low fat content allows the salt to penetrate the flesh and achieve the firm texture and intense flavor that characterize authentic Cantabrian anchovies.
During these months, inshore boats, mainly from ports such as Santoña, Laredo, and Ondarroa, fish in the waters of the Cantabrian Sea in search of anchovy, respecting the fishing quotas and sustainability measures imposed by organizations such as the EU and the Ministry of Fisheries.
Anchovy fishing begins in the Bay of Biscay, following a very selective and environmentally friendly system: purse-seine fishing. This type of fishing involves boats identifying fish schools, dropping purse-seine nets into the sea, and turning the vessel 360º to completely surround the fish with the net. This way, contact with the seabed is avoided, which helps preserve marine ecosystems. The fish are extracted from the net using a huge scoop net called a brailer.
The Albacore Tuna Season – From June to October
Once the anchovy season ends, another treasure of the Cantabrian Sea begins: albacore tuna (also called Thunnus alalunga).
The albacore tuna caught in this season is the most prized of the year, as its flesh is firmer, its flavor more intense, and its fat level ideal for canning, allowing the product to retain all its juiciness and quality once canned.
The oldest method used for tuna fishing in the Cantabrian Sea is trolling or live bait fishing. Between June and October, boats tow a lure or live bait to attract tuna, which are caught one by one with rods and hooks. This selective and sustainable technique (as it does not involve accidental catches of other species or damage to the seabed) allows for the selection of the highest quality specimens, ensuring that adult tuna are caught, thus respecting the reproductive cycle of the species.
MSC Seal
At Pujadó Solano, we have the MSC sustainable fishing seal, a certification that guarantees that our products come from responsible fisheries that practice sustainable fishing, protect marine ecosystems, and ensure the health of fish populations.
