This activity is as old as the salt mines in this area. It consists in the collection of fishes caught in the marshes where they grow and reach maturity in the course of the year. These kind of small shallow lagoons contain calm warm water and a great quantity of plankton.
It constitutes an ideal habitat for the development of species with an unbeatable taste.
In Cadiz, it is classified as a fish from marshes, so that it is distinguished from fishes on the open sea – not so tasty. Workers at salt mines from this area have annually carried out several collections since antiquity. They did so with the aim of taking advantage of fish farmer resources marshes offer. The day of collection became a public holiday for all workers at the salt mines, relatives and friends. They tasted charcoalgrilled collected fishes in the style of "sapina" (one of the few shrubs that grows in the salt mines).
The rest of the fishes was sold. This thematic lunch called fish collection consists in the arrival of guests at one of the old salt mines in the bay of Cadiz. It begins with a short guided visit to the salt mines – optional.
Then, the group goes to the marsh where they are served a traditional cold appetizer by a team of waiters dressed in Andalusian or sailor costumes. In the meantime, the staff approaches marshes and starts lifting the nets in front of the clients. Then, guests can watch a great diversity of fishes at the bottom of the nets like sea basses, gilthead breams, gray mullets, soles and so on...
Fishes are moved into some kind of stoves in which they are grilled. Firewood is replaced by a shrub which only grows at these salt mines. Besides, this bush provides fishes with an special taste, like a finishing touch of salt. Finally, fishes are served and tasted in the Roman style, that is, on tiles or on conventional plates.