In the weeks ahead, when fishing weather settled into its regular pattern, the usual sea shortages were offset by high prices. Fishermen’s associations in Asturias note that Christmas has long played a pivotal role in the regional economy. Yet, as several members emphasize, the situation is not what it used to be. Conditions and balance now vary by coastal area.
The Christmas fishing campaign is viewed differently this year. Ramon Alvarez, the head of the Avilés district, which markets the most fish in Asturias, notes that the season no longer unfolds as it once did. Consumer habits have stretched purchases further, and demand for bream, sea bass, viceroy, pixin and other prized species remains strong, yet the bounty is not as generous as before. Shelving of wild shellfish is also not what it used to be. In the Avilesina district, the period before Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve saw prices that, while lower than pre-pandemic years, still stayed well above the long‑term average. “But the era of tons of sea bream waiting for buyers is a thing of the past,” Alvarez says.
Beyond new market dynamics and growing scarcity of select items, this year’s weather has been less forgiving for fishing. Strong currents were recorded, and among professionals this was said to “dizzled the fish,” reducing catches and discouraging boat owners from heading out to work.
The La Arena district, known for juvenile eels, faces a “mediocre” Christmas. Master pattern Eloy Sopeña explains that November’s new moon yielded about 300 kilos for hunting purposes, while December produced around 120 kilos. The larger sandy pattern links the eel shortfall to higher December temperatures. Eels sold at La Arena during Christmas averaged about 500 euros per kilo. “The only good thing about the campaign was the price,” Sopeña notes with a shrug.
In Luanco, another port in the Avilés region, Christmas passed with little fanfare. The mayor’s representative, José Luis Gutierrez, says the sea was not suitable for near‑daily fishing and even shellfish fishing proved challenging. Overall, these were days of scarce fishing.
Fishermen’s associations in the western area report a different mood for Christmas. Adolfo García, chief patron of the Puerto de Vega Fishermen’s Association, describes a solid market: sea bream at notable prices in the Luarca fishery and mussels fetching high kilos at the Puerto de Vega group. He adds that while the weather followed a somewhat tricky pattern, pricing benefited from the rough conditions experienced in Galicia, keeping buyers engaged.
Jose Manuel Garcia, of the Viavélez stock analysis model, emphasizes that Christmas typically brings good prices when weather cooperates. He cites sea bass and mussels as examples, noting that weights around 35 euros per unit were achievable when catches were light and demand stayed steady. This pattern underscores how favorable weather can lift value even when supply dips.
Eastern Asturias faced a tougher Christmas, according to representatives from the regional fraternities. The Santa María de Sábada de Lastres fellowship describes small catches and bad weather, tempered by decent prices but not extraordinary. While prey may seem scarce, the relative abundance of fish against molluscs and crustaceans, coupled with elevated prices, helps markets stay afloat. Eastern fishermen report higher sales compared with previous years, though excitement is muted. Similar sentiment comes from the Llanes and Ribadesella fraternities, where prices rose as catches declined, a trend accompanied by concerns about limited shellfish hunting. Prices showed a slight dip before year’s end, then climbed again in January, as observed. Overall, fishermen view the festive period positively, noting that prices helped compensate for shortages. Species most in demand included sea bass, mussels, spider crab, eel, sea bream and anchovy.
In Candás, the Christmas campaign exceeded expectations. The guild secretary notes cautious optimism, explaining that only three boats were active but prices held steady year over year. Crabs and shrimp emerged as star products toward year’s end, with some mussels sold as well. Harsh tides in the afternoon and poor weather reduced catches, but the balance still looked favorable for small-boat fleets venturing out at year’s end.
Six boats in the San Miguel de Tazones fraternity reported similarly positive results. They benefited from the December lull in bad weather and chose to keep prices steady rather than raise them. With most sales to familiar buyers, stability was valued over quick gains. In Mali, shellfish remains a mainstay and spider crab dominates the fish market there.
Overall, this Christmas season across eastern Asturias showed mixed outcomes but with a clear throughline: prices remained resilient in the face of tight catches and challenging weather. The story echoed across smaller ports and larger harbors alike, as fishermen balanced supply, demand and the unpredictable moods of the sea. Market watchers point to sea bass, mussels, spider crab, eel, sea bream and anchovy as standout species, reflecting both scarcity and steady consumer appetite. It is this dynamic that kept markets buoyant as the calendar closed and a new fishing year approached, with local communities adapting and continuing to rely on seafood as a central livelihood—the sea’s cadence guiding prices, catches and hope for the months ahead.
[Citation: Regional fisheries councils and port federations provide the basis for these observations and price trends. Attribution to local fishers and association leaders reflects firsthand market conditions and seasonal shifts.]