Tourists Learn How to Fish for Seafood on Pipa Beach

In 15 minutes, ten tourists managed to fish about two hundred clams

Cledivânia Pereira

When the tide is low on the coast next to Pipa beach, a sandbank appears in the middle of the Guaraíras lagoon.

Small fishing boats arrive in the late afternoon with tourists to watch the sunset. It is the last stop on a tour that lasts six hours and has gastronomy as its main attraction.

The Guaraíras Lagoon is an APA (Environmental Preservation Area), and only 11 vessels are authorized to sail with tourists. Of these, three offer a gastronomic tour that teaches how to fish for seafood and puts tourists in contact with fishers.

PIPA beach,RN. Crédito Wellinton Barbosa / Secom

Virtually all fish and crustaceans served on board are purchased along the tour or removed from the water by tourists.

"There is no secret: go groping in the sand, and soon you will find some balls that look like stones. It's seafood", says Carlos Frederico, who heads one of the companies that offer the attraction.

In 15 minutes, ten tourists managed to fish about two hundred clams, served with lemon and olive oil after being grilled.

"Is it good? How do you eat it? Can you bite?" Asked the Argentines Marcelo Quiroga, 46, and Verônica Barrionuevo, 41. Seafood, mussels, shrimp, and fish are part of the menu.

The lagoon, like Pipa, is in the municipality of Tibau do Sul, 81 km from Natal. The gastronomic tour includes food and drink and happens daily.

Prices vary between R$ 200 (US$ 48) and R$ 225 (US$ 54) per person. Asked what he thought of the experience, the Portuguese Diogo Tiago, 35, answered with a question: "How do I live here and work on that boat?".

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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