Sardines, A Portuguese Tradition

PÓVOA DE VARZIM, MATOSINHOS AND AVEIRO, PORTUGAL 2019 - 2022

This photo series explores the full cycle of Portugal’s sardine industry — not only at sea and in the canneries, but also in the streets, squares, and festive nights where sardines are deeply woven into national identity.

From the early morning fishing off the coasts of Póvoa de Varzim, Matosinhos, and Aveiro, to the bustling factory lines (many staffed entirely by women), and the vibrant celebrations of São João, São Pedro, and the Romaria of Santa Luzia — this work captures the rhythm of a tradition that feeds both body and culture.

At the heart of this story are also the new faces of Portuguese fishing: Indonesian migrant workers. Far from home, they not only crew the boats, but also carve out a life in between tides — working, cooking, praying, and calling their families from tiny apartments in fishing towns.

This series blends labor, migration, festivity and memory — revealing a Portugal in transformation.