The fishing practices of the Messolonghi-Aitoliko Lagoons National Park represent a traditional craft and professional activity that has been practiced for centuries in the wider region. These practices, with their typological and cultural roots, date back to the medieval-Byzantine period (under Venetian rule). They share characteristics with those of the Venetian lagoon, bearing witness to the cultural exchanges between the two regions.This element was inscribed in the National Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2022.The fishing practices of the Messolonghi-Aitoliko Lagoons National Park constitute a traditional craft and professional activity, maintained for centuries with practical, typological, and cultural origins tracing back to the medieval-Byzantine era (under Venetian rule). They share features with the fishing methods of the Venetian lagoon, indicating the cultural interchange between the two regions.
The methods used to ensure more effective fishing (catching) and the ways of collecting the catch depending on weather conditions are based on deep knowledge passed down through generations. A natural instinct combined with a rational use of natural resources led to the development of practices such as returning fish fry to the lagoon to allow them to complete their growth.Essential for the fishermen was also the empirical knowledge of the lagoon’s flora and fauna, the interpretation of environmental and weather conditions in the area, as well as the traditional practice of forecasting weather through popular methods (known as merominia). In building the stilted structures (pelades), it was also vital to consider sea currents, wind direction, and the natural formation of the terrain.Fishing in lagoons is associated with a wide range of knowledge and techniques, such as constructing buildings and useful tools, selecting the right type of wood for boatbuilding, and constructing pelades (stilted huts used for fishermen’s residence, work, and equipment storage) and tools. This expertise is influenced by changing socio-economic conditions and technological advancements of each era. Nevertheless, the traditional character of these practices has been preserved to this day.The traditional preparation of dishes from the catch, the use of seawater in cooking, and the preservation of fish in salt (as pasta) or oil, along with distinctive methods of preparing the catch (such as petali, savoro), form the gastronomic tradition of the region.
The main bearers of this cultural element are the fishermen who professionally operate in the Messolonghi-Aitoliko lagoon and are committed to preserving and promoting traditional fishing. Other bearers include members of the local community, such as boatbuilders and fish processors active in the area. The activities and initiatives of this community, aimed at preserving the cultural element, are supported by organizations engaged in the protection and safeguarding of the region’s natural and cultural heritage.
