In l’Albufera, fishing is not just a trade: it is a way of understanding the place. Amongst reeds, canals and flat-bottomed boats, fishermen maintain a custom that organises life on the lake: the redolins, fixed fishing spots that are raffled off each year to distribute the work and resources fairly.
What is a redolí?
A redolí is essentially a fixed fishing spot within l’Albufera: a very specific stretch of water—in a canal, inlet or bend in the lake—where natural conditions make fish ‘run’ better. It is not chosen at random: it is defined by the current, the depth, the type of bottom (more or less compact mud), the vegetation (reeds, cattails) and even how the wind “pushes” at each time of year. It is marked with cane or wooden stakes and small marks on the shore; sometimes it is completed with ‘arms’ of net that guide the fish towards selective traps or pots. Each redolí has its own personality: there are those that perform well in the east, those that ‘wake up’ in autumn, those that keep eels when the light goes down.
The important thing is that the redolí is not private property. It is part of a community system managed by the Fishermen’s Community: all the positions are inventoried, updated if the channels change, and once a year, they are raffled off to distribute opportunities fairly. Those who obtain a redolí also assume obligations: to respect closed seasons and size limits, to keep the signs in good condition, not to encroach on neighbouring spots and to work sensibly, reading water levels and seasons. Therefore, more than just a place, a redolí is an agreement between nature and the people of the lake: the place sets the conditions and the fisherman provides the skill.
The raffle: the heart of the community
The big event traditionally takes place on the second Sunday in July, when the raffle for the redolins is held. It is a public event that is very popular: the fishermen’s census is checked, numbers are drawn at random and, in turn, each person chooses their spot. There is nervousness, jokes, memories of good years and not-so-good years… and, above all, the feeling that the lake is managed by everyone and in full view of everyone.
The eel, queen of the lagoon
The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is the thread that connects the past and present in l’Albufera. It is born in the Atlantic (Sargasso Sea) as a transparent larva, reaches our shores in the form of a glass eel and, once in the lagoon and irrigation channels, grows for years as a yellow eel. When it matures, it turns silvery and begins its journey back to the sea to reproduce. This coming and going makes the eel a barometer of the ecosystem: if there is a good water supply, healthy vegetation and clean currents, the species can be seen; if the system suffers, so does the eel.
En lo cultural es mucho más que un pez: es oficio, calendario y cocina. La lectura del agua para colocar nasas, el respeto a tallas y vedas y la rifa de redolins orbitan, en gran parte, alrededor de ella. Y en la mesa, el all i pebre resume la identidad del lugar: poco ingrediente y mucho saber. Hoy se cuida especialmente porque la especie está en declive en Europa; por eso la comunidad pesquera de El Palmar combina tradición y gestión responsable (selectividad de artes, cupos, colaboración con estudios). En otras palabras: la anguila es la reina porque da de vivir, cuenta quiénes somos y recuerda cómo hay que tratar la laguna.
Arts and knowledge that are not forgotten
The scene is simple and beautiful: flat-bottomed boats powered by quiet motors or oars; selective traps and nets in narrow passages; discreet buoys marking the spot; and an expert eye reading the colour of the water, the wind and the level of the canals. Closed seasons, minimum sizes and quotas are respected, because the future is also fished with patience.
The calendar rules
The lake changes with the seasons and the rice cycle. In spring, activity increases; in summer, the assigned spot is worked; and in autumn, changes in water level can move the eels. No two years are the same: the Albufera teaches us that the trade is, above all, about listening.
Living tradition and responsible tourism
The raffle, the lateen sail, the barracks and the eel cuisine form a heritage that is lovingly cared for. If you go, remember: do not enter the marked redolins, collect your rubbish, hire boat trips with local guides and try seasonal produce. That way your visit will be even more worthwhile.
A glimpse from within
Take a boat trip at sunset: the reeds turn golden and the canals tell you stories. Ask about the raffle, the best winds or how to prepare a good all i pebre. In two conversations you will understand why this tradition is still so alive.
You can enjoy this typical dish from El Palmar in some of the restaurants in the area. They give visibility and value to this succulent dish, with local products and ancestral culture, rooted in this unique enclave, La Albufera.
Frequently asked questions
When is the redolins raffle held?
Traditionally on the second Sunday in July in El Palmar.
Can I attend?
It is usually a public and community event. It is advisable to ask the Fishermen’s Community about schedules and rules.
What gear is used for eels?
Regulated selective traps and pots are predominantly used, in addition to traditional techniques adapted to the lake.
Why is a place raffled off rather than ‘bought’?
Because the raffle guarantees fairness, reduces conflicts and helps to ensure that the resource belongs to everyone and is for everyone.
