Roberto Rodríguez Prieto

Roberto leads a project focused on artisanal, responsible, and sustainable fishing along the Galician coast.

He supplies some of the country’s top restaurants, which accept his conditions—only seasonal, day-caught fish—thanks to the exceptional quality of the product.

Coming from a fishing family, Roberto Rodríguez founded Artesáns da Pesca at the end of 2009 together with biologist Rosa Martínez. Their idea was to create an artisanal fishing cooperative that would support local work and, above all, be honest and transparent about the origin of the product. His grandfather and father had already attempted something similar without success, but Roberto crossed paths with Rosa Martínez during a foreign trade course, and together they launched this venture, which has since become a benchmark for artisanal and sustainable fishing.

Most of their catch is delivered to restaurants across Spain, many of them renowned. Although at first it was challenging for partners and clients to understand the cooperative’s philosophy, today this way of working and treating the product is highly valued.

Their vessels do not exceed 18 meters in length and operate close to the Galician coast within a 12-mile radius, using small-scale fishing gear or, in the case of pelagic species, purse seine methods. Minimum sizes, species regulations, and closed seasons are strictly respected.