Artisanal fishing in Fortim:
the jangada tradition

Before kitesurfing and guesthouses, Fortim already lived from the sea. Artisanal fishing is still part of daily life in Pontal de Maceió, with jangadas on the sand, early departures and fish that reaches the table the same day.

At a glance

The jangada, Ceará's emblematic boat

The jangada is the traditional boat of the Ceará coast: low, sail-powered and built to leave the sand and return to it the same day. In studies of the state's artisanal fishing, jangadas and paquetes, the smaller version, are among the most used boats, alongside canoes and small boats, mostly fishing with lines and nets.

The boat is also a symbol of struggle. In 1941, four jangadeiros sailed a jangada from Fortaleza to Rio de Janeiro to demand labour rights for fishermen. The same tradition is still alive on the sand at Pontal.

Where to see fishing in Fortim

The best place is the shore of Pontal de Maceió, where the jangadas are moored in front of the village. Early in the morning you can watch them leave, and later come back with the catch, a scene that has held on despite the growth of tourism.

Fortim appears in surveys of Ceará's artisanal fishing among the localities that represent the state's fleet. On the Jaguaribe River, the fishermen's small boats cross from one bank to the other throughout the day.

How to go fishing in Fortim

The simplest way is to book a boat operator: the Jaguaribe River boat trip can include fishing and lasts 2 to 4 hours. The contact for Tião Carneiro, who runs boat and speedboat trips, is on the Tours page.

If you would like to go out with a local fisherman, ask at your guesthouse or on the Pontal shore and agree everything in advance: time, price and what to bring. It is his work, not a packaged tour.

From the sea to the table

The catch ends up on the menus: peixada cearense (fish stewed with coconut milk, vegetables and egg, served with pirão), the fish caldeirada at Canto Verde, the mariscada at Mariscada da Rivanda and the lobster at Maresia. See where to have lunch and our guide to what to eat in Fortim.

If your accommodation has a kitchen, Peixaria O Flávio sells fish, shrimp and lobster straight from the fishermen: ask on WhatsApp what came in that day. The contact is on the Services page.

🐟 Do you run a fish shop, restaurant or beach kiosk in Fortim? Advertise your business here →

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