Xavega

A small fishing settlement lives around the daily work of Xávega.

Xávega is a centuries-old fishing practice along Portugal’s coast. It consists of dragging large seine nets from the sea back to the beach, a method that has long defined the rhythm of many coastal communities. In the central regions, fishermen refer to it simply as “arte,” while in the south it became known as “Xávega.” Today, it remains a living expression of Portugal’s maritime culture and heritage. In Costa da Caparica, Capitaó Carlo and his crew push the boats into the water and ride out past the surf to set the nets. When they return, tractors pull the ropes across the beach while others guide and gather them by hand.Families wait nearby, children running between piles of nets, dogs weaving through the crowd and the endless chaos of hungry seagulls trying to get their share. Fish are sorted on the beach and sold immediately.

Then they head out again. Two to three times per day. Every day of the week. All year.