Camogli Tonnarella

This seasonal fixed fishing system in Camogli has centuries of history, and was already being mentioned in documents and decrees from the 17th century. It is called “tonnarella” because it is a simpler and smaller version of the “tonnara” fishing system, with two chambers instead of six to nine and a shorter barrier net, the pedale. The tonnarella’s pedale is just over 300 meters long and made from coconut fiber.
Shoals of fish, carried by the current, follow the pedale barrier and end up in the first chamber created by the nets. The fish then move into the second and last chamber, the lea. When enough fish have entered the lea, the nets are raised by hand. The catch is normally a mix of horse mackerel, Atlantic bonito, saddled sea bream, amberjack, chub mackerel and small tuna.
The raising operation is repeated three times a day: at dawn, during the morning and in the afternoon.

Season

The nets are lowered into the sea for about six months, from April to September