S,3, Ep : 26. Spain, the Sea & the EU: Tuna, Cod and the Fishing Soul of a Nation.

S,3, Ep : 26. Spain, the Sea & the EU: Tuna, Cod and the Fishing Soul of a Nation.

Author: Spanish Loops February 4, 2026 Duration: 34:50

Spain has always lived facing the sea. And not just for the views.

In this new episode of Spanish Loops, we (literally) dive into one of the most fascinating and sometimes controversial parts of Spanish life: fishing, Europe, and the quotas that shape what ends up on our plates.

Spain is one of the biggest fishing nations in the European Union, but that comes with rules, limits and long negotiations in Brussels. 

EU fishing quotas decide how much can be caught, where, and when. Sounds technical… but behind those numbers there are centuries of tradition, entire coastal towns, and families who have lived from the sea for generations.

We travel along the coast of Cádiz, where the legendary bluefin tuna has been caught since Phoenician times using the almadraba technique, a ritual as old as history itself. 

Then we head north to the Basque Country, where cod isn’t just food, it’s culture, memory and identity. And we stop by the estuaries and rías, where shellfish farming quietly produces some of the finest seafood in Europe.

This episode is also about how fish defines Spanish gastronomy. From humble tapas to Michelin-starred kitchens, seafood is everywhere: grilled, cured, stewed, raw… always respected. Always central.

Understanding fishing in Spain means understanding its past, its relationship with Europe, and its future at sea.

So yes, this episode is going to sound a bit fish - ish.
Happy listening!


Join Fran and Jorge, two seasoned tour guides whose enthusiasm for Spain is genuinely infectious. Their Spanish Loops podcast feels like pulling up a chair at a lively tapas bar for a long, meandering conversation. Forget dry recitations of dates and names; here, you get the vibrant layers of a country built on crossroads. Each episode is a deep dive into a specific loop-a theme that could be anything from the haunting history woven into a flamenco verse to the surprising science behind perfect paella. They move seamlessly between the ancient stones of Roman roads and the pulsing energy of a modern Madrid neighborhood, always with a guide’s eye for the telling detail and the human story. You’ll hear about curious traditions, personal anecdotes from the road, and those little-known facts that most guidebooks miss. The aim is to create a rich, sensory experience through your headphones, one that captures the warmth, complexity, and sheer joy of Spanish life. Listening to this podcast is less about passive learning and more about being swept up in a shared passion, leaving you with a fuller understanding and a genuine smile. Fran and Jorge don’t just describe places; they convey the feeling of being there, making every topic, whether grand or everyday, come alive with context and charm.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

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