Fish and its natural cycle
Fishing seasons and traditional fishing techniques
Conservas Ortiz is a family company based on the Cantabrian Sea coast and dedicated to the traditional production of high-quality canned fish since 1891.
Through five generations, the Ortiz family has shaped a strong culture guided by respect and passion for quality, firmly committed to enjoying and preserving the best taste of the sea.
A philosophy that has been able to evolve over time, adapting to new demands without ever renouncing the traditional processes that symbolize the essence of the company and guarantee a unique flavor.
Knowing that there is an optimal moment
130 years dedicated to learning and appreciating the generosity of the sea and adapting to the rhythm of its natural cycles. Each fish’s biological and migratory cycle has an optimum moment for its capture and quality. In the Bay of Biscay, this moment is traditionally known as ‘costera’ or fishing season: when and where each species is in its best condition of taste and size. By respecting the ‘costeras’, in addition to contributing to marine biodiversity, we are certain that the taste of our fish is undoubtedly the best.
As this calendar shows, each fish has its optimum moment, its season, its “costera” in the Cantabrian Sea. And every year is different because many factors come into play with the fish and the sea, making each time a unique and unrepeatable fishing season.
The art of fishing
Experience has made us value and commit ourselves to traditional fishing techniques carried out by experienced fishermen, whose philosophy demands respect for sea life.
Traditional fleets use selective fishing methods, respect the coastline and catch fish in close proximity. This is how they guarantee the freshness of the fish, with their excellent know-how.
Our fish are caught with the following traditional fishing methods:
Angling with live bait.
It is mainly used for White Tuna. A traditional, selective and sustainable method that pulls the fish one by one, guaranteeing excellent freshness and quality.
Trolling or hand line fishing
It is used for White Tuna and Mackerel. It is a selective fishing method that uses several hook lines from a moving boat.
Seine fishing
It is used for anchovy, mackerel, sardine, horse mackerel and southern mackerel. It is a bag-shaped net that closes over a school of fish. This selective and close proximity fishing method provides optimum freshness and quality.
The passion for getting the best fish, with the effort, respect and commitment of several generations, is what turns a technique into an art.
We seal our commitment
Conservas Ortiz has created an exclusive and distinctive seal to reinforce and communicate our commitment to the sea: ‘Pescado Con Caña, uno a uno’ (Individually line-caught), present on our packaging. This seal guarantees the angling, both with live bait and trolling, of White Tuna by experienced fishing fleets.
The great taste of our Tuna is the result of a careful selection of the best catches by fishery and season. The ‘Pesca Responsable y Seleccionada’ (Responsible and Selected Fishing) seal also guarantees that it has been caught by fleets with the best practices in the conservation of fisheries and respecting strict sustainability criteria.
TACs
Setting Total Allowable Catch Quotas (TACs), based on scientific recommendations, by the authorities, for each type of fishing, is essential for the conservation of the species. Conservas Ortiz supports and rigorously complies with these fishing regulations, as well as with the norms and legislations of the European Union and the destination countries of all our products.
The sea is alive; it is an ever-changing ecosystem whose delicate balance we strive to respect.
