“Free man, you will always love the sea.”
Charles Baudelaire, “Man and the Sea”,1857.
From the early years of the 20th century until the 1930s, Roseto was one of the most important seaside towns in the central Adriatic, along with Pescara and San Benedetto del Tronto. The shipowners were at the top of the maritime organization and their crew was composed of parò, sottoparò, sailors, and deckhands.
Fishing was carried out for about 15 hours, with short breaks only for meals, and all the fish was divided into 24 parts according to strict rules.
With technological development, the work of fishermen has evolved considerably and fishing techniques have become more sophisticated. However, until a few years ago, older sailors loved to manually prepare the traps used for the fishing of sea snails and cuttlefish, and the nets used for trolling. Today, many of these fishing techniques have become illegal to safeguard the seabed and the proper timing of repopulation of the sea.
A symbol of our popular maritime culture is the “Paparazzaro”: the clam fisherman, one of the hardest and most exhausting jobs.
Memories of the past
Some past fishing techniques are only allowed for historical reenactments (discover “La Sciabica” among the traditional festivals), and it is always fascinating to be able to witness these performances that take us back to a time full of emotions and memories.
Despite the changes, fishing remains one of the main activities of Roseto degli Abruzzi, where even today, fishermen continue to carry out their work with passion and dedication, seeking to preserve traditions in full compliance with regulations and the marine ecosystem.
