Children with Sardine nonsense.

My classroom is a fishing boat in the Adriatic to learn even the youngest, was the sea of quirky and delectable residents has to offer. At the conclusion of the course there is a competition for the best sardine - and a salty feast.

 

Half past five the morning: The light has to be this early hour a strange character. Pale blue, almost milky spreading it over the rooftops of Fa? From ana. The town is still asleep, finally, Sunday. In the quiet streets just sneak a few cats around. At the harbor, on the other hand, the dull sound of a ship's diesel Tucker. A small group of people has gathered on the quay. Three guys, around ten years old, adopted from their mothers and climb aboard the "Luna".

Fisherwoman Danica Toma? I are life jackets, then pulls the canvas one. Her husband Sergio turns the engine high, a vibration passes through the fuselage, from the cutter sets. The children have well-behaved on a bench set. From their faces, the morning still tired to read, but in the eyes to stimulate curiosity and excitement. The "Luna" has meanwhile the pier behind and goes to the blog smooth Adriatic beyond. The first gulls follow the boat already. You know why.

Who knows fishing, knows the magic of such an early day. We peered into the dark depths of the sea inside, usually sees nothing but an idea what is down there and everything could hide. Joyful excitement mingles with hope for a good catch. The three young passengers to experience it all today for the first time as a student of a very special educational institution: the "? Kola sardela", Academy of fishermen from Fa? Ana. And the "Luna" is on this Sunday as a floating classroom.

Quaking rays and flatfish

The sky is brighter, the sun will soon rise. Danica Toma? I explained the function of a control network, their voice must be weighed against the engine noise to fight. The boys are listening. Then it reached the first marker buoy. Sergio fishes it out of the water, the rope to a winch and starts the night on the network to be designed. The sea was at this point about 14 meters deep, said Danica, the soil is sandy.

More and more network mesh landed on deck, in the mesh are only rocks, sponges and Tang Suddenly shine pink shed. The fisher prefers a sea bream from the maze. The students take the motionless fish in turn fascinated in their hands. Now follow two bizarre looking "star gazers" and a sole. These flat fish are not only of people like verspeist, but also dolphins, lectured Danica. "The tear them from the nets out. A dolphin takes 20 kilos of fish a day."

The guys are amazed. In the next network depends Rays even a zither. Anyone who touches him gets a noticeable surge. After nearly three hours of lessons, the "Luna" back on course to port. Pleasure is the catch exception, the gulls screaming rush to the viscera discarded.

"Our courses cover three thematic fields - marine ecology, fishing and cooking," says Melita Perokovi proud. Anything with the fishing has to do. Thus, at Fa? Anas centuries-old tradition as a fishing adequate follow. Perokovi, an elegantly dressed woman of forty, is the initiator of the "? Kola sardela, director of the local tourism association and probably something like an unofficial mayor. She knows everything and everyone in the neighborhood and told enthusiastic about the rich history of their city, for example, already in Roman times as a production center for amphora was famous.

The "students" of fishing academy came from all over Croatia, children like adults, then Perokovi continued. "The concept is a huge success." But no, on its own premises in 2004, it had the Academy not. "The whole village is our school," says the director. The lessons found on the church square near the harbor instead. Or just on the sea.

High security zone for Tito

Dozens of fish species inhabiting Istrian coastal waters, but one of them is at the "? Kola sardela" in the heart: its named after the sardines. This has historical reasons. Until 1952 was in Fa? Ana one of the largest fish canning factories in the northern Adriatic resident - with a giant sardine production. Non-economic reasons at the end sealed it, but political. Yugoslav leader Tito chose only three and a half kilometers off the coast of Brijuni Islands is one of his residences, and family? Ana suddenly found himself in a high security zone again. Any traffic from then on was strictly monitored. The factory had to forcibly resettle.

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Nowadays, the Brijuni archipelago, a strictly protected National Park and the Adriatic sea chronically overfished. From Fa? Ana go out only two on Sardine fishing boats, the other fishermen - most of them operate only in their craft sideline - make targeted hunting of sea bass, Dorade Delikatess and other species. They sell their catch to local restaurants.

"The fishery has no more important economic role," says Melita Perokovi. "Fa? Anas economy is now about 40 percent from tourism." Otherwise the people earn their bread in just 15 kilometers from city of Pula shipyard or elsewhere. But the sardine-ebt tradition continues - on the tables, but obviously also in the hearts of many families? Recognized.

It is evening become the Kirchenuhr has just eight beaten. On the Square festival atmosphere prevails. Under a white tent roof is lined with simple folding tables, behind bowing to men, women and children, elderly and young on cutting boards, serving and large tin cans. All are participants of this course of Einsalz "? Kola sardela".

A jury nominates the most beautiful pieces of silver

The moment of truth is approaching, because once the jury is the work of all 23 students and evaluate the best SELECTION. Busy hands to drag on for months in the salt mature sardines from the metal barrels. Some cuts and hand movements, already have the silver fillets transforms into appetizing. They are white bread, olive oil, onion rings, capers and pine nuts served.

Everything tastes rich Mediterranean, many viewers may try for free. Surprisingly, the Croats seem almost to be among them. Here and there one hears two sentences Italian, a few English words, not German. Then, the music. The band plays loud brutal Balkan folk, on the horizon will almost incidentally bilderbuchreifer a sunset instead.

Gordana Pavlovi and work in the eleven-year-old David chord pace. Sardines find your hot cakes. Wherein lies the charm of these two fish processing? "My family comes from Fa? Ana, my son was born here, and this is part of our lives," said the tall woman. David can not be distracted from his work.

Nearby La Svjetlana prepared? TNO their salt sardines. Also it is used by their sons, the six-year-old Robert and the four-year-old Boris, strongly supported. Soon, all fish eaten, the jury announced its results. The winner is a genuine Fa? Recognized. Fischer Sergio Toma? I laughingly takes pride in receiving the trophy. Behind the table are bottles of wine uncorked. Man faces and drink to what probably yes? Long live the "sardela"!