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Spain: The fishing weirs of Chipiona (Part 2)

Spain: The fishing weirs of Chipiona (Part 2) – European Commons and OECMsArticle by Diana Neacsu in dialogue with Raimundo Díaz

Photo: One of the annual visits by local schoolchildren to the fishing weirs, where they witness the harvesting guided by members of the “Jarife” common.

Along the coast of Chipiona, the centuries-old corrales de pesca—ingenious stone enclosures built to capture fish and other marine life as the tide recedes—are a testament to community, tradition, and resilience. These fishing weirs, maintained and preserved by the Jarife Association, embody a way of life where the sea’s rhythm dictates the pace. Today, young people and women are becoming key participants in the preservation of these heritage-rich fishing weirs, bringing fresh perspectives to ancient practices.

The young guardians of tradition

For young members of Jarife, joining the common usually begins as early as two years old, with families signing them up to keep the tradition alive. Many young commoners, like David, were introduced to the weirs simply by joining family outings, often at night. “I started going to the tide very young, first just accompanying my father, and then later going alone when I was able to,” he recalls. Growing up, he continued his visits to the corrales, taking on more responsibility as he learned the skills to sustain the weirs. Today, his connection to the weirs goes beyond practical knowledge. For him, it’s deeply personal—a link to his family’s past and to the timeless nature of the corrales. As he explains, “Especially during night tides, in complete darkness, I think about how many people have done exactly what I’m doing now, long before me. It’s a feeling that connects me to my ancestors.” In Chipiona, the corrales are visible from the beaches and are often mistaken by tourists as natural formations. For the young members of Jarife, it’s both amusing and exasperating to see visitors snapping pieces of corrales, unaware of the history and effort that have gone into constructing these stone enclosures. “It surprises me every time,” he laughs, “that people don’t realize the weirs were built by human hands, with so much hard work.” Maintaining these corrales is both demanding and rewarding, but he doesn’t see it as a chore. “The tide isn’t the center of my life,” he explains, “but I always come back to it. I don’t see it as a responsibility—I see it as something fun, even the maintenance”.

The Women of Jarife

For many women in Jarife, their connection to the weirs has been a lifelong part of Chipiona’s community life. One member, Maria, a 54-year-old homemaker, has known about the weirs all her life but she started partaking later on. “I don’t go often, but when I do, it’s wonderful,” she shares, adding that she usually goes fish harvesting with a friend. While she might not have the same daily ties to the corrales as other commoners, her connection runs deep. “Seeing the weirs and knowing they were nearly lost makes me feel like I’m part of something important”.
Her visits to the weirs are a way of reconnecting with her hometown’s traditions, and though she’s not directly involved in their upkeep, she’s proud of what Jarife stands for. For her, the weirs are more than just places to gather fish. They symbolize Chipiona’s identity and resilience—qualities she hopes to pass down to future generations. “I’d love to know we’ve given our children at least what we received from our elders,” she reflects. “It’s not just about preserving the environment; it’s about keeping a unique part of our heritage alive.”

Despite the importance of the weirs, she notices that many outsiders lack the same respect for this tradition. “Sometimes people don’t understand or care for the weirs as they should. It saddens me,” she says. Visitors often treat the weirs as part of the beach, sometimes even taking marine life from the pools, unaware that it’s a protected area. For Jarife members like her, it’s a challenge to educate others about the cultural and ecological importance of the corrales.

A tide as a teacher and a peer

Life as a commoner in Chipiona may sound demanding, but to its young members, the corrales offer a sense of freedom. Fishing here is different from professional fishing or casual recreational fishing. It’s a “non-professional” practice with no economic gain, but it’s also not purely recreational. The young commoners use older, traditional techniques specific to Jarife, learned over years of patient instruction and personal experience. For David, the young man from Jarife, his passion for the weirs is about something far beyond profit: “I keep going back because of how I feel when I’m there. It’s not easy to describe. My father says, ‘You have to try it to feel it.’ I guess he’s right”.

Photo: Three generations of Jarife commoners. From left to right: uncle Manolete, Lucas (his son), David (Raimundo’s son), and Raimundo.

The older generation, too, finds joy in the practice. For Maria, the weirs provide a sense of peace and purpose. Even when the community had feared the corrales might be lost to history, people like her stayed connected, finding simple pleasure in fishing and spending time by the tide. “For me, going to the weirs is just one of many hobbies,” she says, “like going to the movies or cooking. It’s a choice I make because it feels good, not because I have to.”

The future of Jarife : passing down a legacy

With the younger generation carrying on the work, and the women continuing to infuse the community with strength and pride, Jarife remains a resilient force in Chipiona. As the association advocates for policies that will support the weirs’ preservation, its members strive to pass down the knowledge and values that make Jarife unique. In a world where traditions are increasingly difficult to maintain, the corrales de pesca stand as symbols of what can be achieved when communities come together. As one member said, “The weirs are part of us. When you’re out there, you feel connected—not only to the sea but to all the people who were here before.” For Jarife, that connection is as enduring as the tide itself, renewing with each generation.

Photo: Winners of the traditional fishing or shellfish harvesting contest at the Chipiona weirs.

Read here Part 2 of the series: The fishing weirs of Chipiona.

Take a virtual stroll to corrales de pesca here.

Photos courtesy of Asociación de Mariscadores JARIFE