JOÃO PEDRO

The youngest fisherman in Vila Chã. He grew up on the beach and from an early age gained an affection for artisanal fishing, the art that runs in his family. 

His choice was not consensual, his family would have liked him to have chosen another profession, safer, better paid and with a more certain future. At 23 years old, he has been fishing since he was 17 at Praia dos Pescadores, in the land where he grew up.

MR. VIRGILIO "GIL"

João Pedro's father is an Arrais fisherman, he governs the vessel Santa Isabel, also known as the Benfica vessel. He already had several fishing colleagues, including one of his brothers, Mr. Alberto, as fate would have it, even if against his own will, that he would have to rely on his son in the sea.

Mrs. CRISTINA

João Pedro's mother also works on the beach, helping prepare the bait that will be used on the next trip to the sea. An employee of Docapesca, she is responsible for selling, at the auction, all the fish that enters Vila Chã. She got her fishing license, but never went to sea.

Mrs. ANA

Gil's sister, Mrs. Ana, works on the beach with Mrs. Cristina. Together, they prepare the bait in the morning for the next trip out to sea, while they wait for the boat to arrive so they can unload the fresh fish and sell it at the fish auction.

Mrs. CARLOTA

The elder of Praia dos Pescadores, Mrs. Carlota helps her son Sérgio mend nets and prepare the bait. Her testimony recalls a historical world, while also pointing toward a future in which artisanal fishing may no longer exist in Vila Chã.