Ancona, September 1, 2026 – Imagine you have just set sail from the port of Ancona, aboard the “Scojo Primo”: the boat of the so-called “small-scale fishing,” among the pioneers of fishing tourism in the city. And to find, on your right, in order: two splendid specimens of dolphins, “dancing” in the blue; the dock, its activities and the Doric skyline as a backdrop; the Cathedral of San Ciriaco, up there on the green hill of Guasco, overlooking the Ancona gulf. Is it or isn’t it a postcard of those that were slipped into the mailbox from the holiday spot, to then be sent to distant relatives? It is, above all, the spectacle that authorities and journalists found before them, who participated yesterday morning in a preview of the “Mini cruises with fishermen,” the great novelty of the Sea Festival 2026. From Thursday to Sunday, in fact, it will be possible to board fishing boats to live an immersive fishing tourism experience, sailing along the Ancona coastline, admiring the city from the sea and discovering an ancient and fascinating craft such as that of the fisherman. Reservations are open (and places already highly requested), two-hour maritime tours for groups of ten people, with departures at 8:30, 11, 14, and 16 from the South Pier.
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The Sea Festival
“The Sea Festival – explained to reporters the Councillor for Major Events and Economic Activities Angelo Eliantonio – confirms itself as a laboratory of content, especially for the benefit of the fishing sector, and the mini cruises are one of the most interesting tools because they allow citizens to appreciate the fisherman’s craft on board and, not least, give all participants the opportunity to admire the city of Ancona with a view from the sea.” More specifically, fishing tourism between sustainability and diversification of activity represents, for the fishing sector, “an important opportunity for income integration to be developed, in synergy with sector associations, and to continue to bring citizens and tourists closer to the activities of fishermen and the maritime heritage of the territory.”
Along with the councillor also the biologist De Carlo
Together with the councillor, also on board was Matteo De Carlo, the marine biologist of Co.Ge.Vo. Co.Ge.Vo. who conceived the mini cruise project (which is part of “Fisciò 2026”), immediately embraced by the Municipality and which will be submitted to the Department of Management of Univpm to understand the potential of fishing tourism activity from a managerial perspective: “Currently in Ancona there are only two boats authorized to carry out this activity – De Carlo emphasized –. The intention is to analyze strengths and weaknesses, so as to transfer the activity also to other boats.”
First stop towards the traps to catch fish, mollusks, and crustaceans
Among these, currently operational, are those of brothers Massimo and Giuliano Zoppi. First stop (a simulation), yesterday, towards the traps to catch fish, mollusks, and crustaceans. “We get up at 3:30 every day. And at 5 we are at sea until about 10,” they said while talking about wild mussel fishing. Always about excellences. Techniques and tools will also be explained to citizens. Then the naturalistic and landscape beauties, from Passetto to Scalaccia, among beaches, caves, and cliffs. And return: “An experience to live.”
