tonnara

Tonnara is the term used for a traditional tuna fishing system that developed in the Mediterranean. It designates both the at-sea netting apparatus and the associated shore facilities used to catch, process, and store tuna. The tonnara system was especially common along the coasts of Sicily and Sardinia, with other sites in Campania and Apulia.

Operation centers on a series of nets laid in the sea that form channels guiding migratory tuna toward a cul-de-sac or central enclosure. Fishermen use small boats to drive the fish, which become confined in the trap. The capture area is followed by onshore processing during the season, with fish salted, cured, or otherwise prepared. The nets are typically anchored to the coast or to buoys and can remain in the water for weeks or months.

History and significance: The tonnara tradition traces to antiquity but reached its classic form from the late medieval period onward, peaking between the 16th and 19th centuries. It supported coastal economies and required coordinated labor, architecture, and seamanship. In the 20th century the practice declined due to regulation, overfishing, and modernization, leading many tonnare to close or be repurposed as cultural heritage sites.

Contemporary status: Today, several tonnare are preserved as museums or tourist attractions, illustrating maritime history and traditional crafts. Notable examples include those on the Sicilian coast, such as the Tonnara of Favignana and the Tonnara di Scopello, as well as Sardinian sites along the island’s coast.