Being a Mariscadoras in Cambados: A form of female emancipation and empowerment

In Galicia, and more specifically in Cambados, mariscadoras have been part of the coastal landscape for generations. These women gather shellfish on foot along the foreshore at low tide. Armed with traditional tools, they mainly search for clams, cockles and razor clams buried in the sand. This trade requires an excellent knowledge of the marine environment, the tides and natural cycles. Once regarded as a supplementary activity to fishing income, this profession has gradually gained recognition. Today, the mariscadoras have become key players in the Galician maritime sector and represent a powerful symbol of women’s place in the coastal economy.

In Cambados, their role goes far beyond simply harvesting shellfish. They play an active part in preserving marine resources by monitoring production areas, cleaning beaches and ensuring the renewal of species. Their work is fully in line with the principles of the blue economy, which seeks to reconcile economic activity with environmental protection.

The mariscadoras thus contribute to a local circular economy where resources are exploited sustainably to ensure their availability for future generations. At the same time, some of them take part in marine tourism projects that allow visitors to discover their trade and Galician maritime culture. According to the European Commission, women in the fi shing sector in Galicia now serve as an example of active participation in a more inclusive and sustainable blue economy. 

Beyond their economic and environmental importance, being a mariscadora also represents a form of empowerment. Historically, women in the maritime sector have long worked in the shadow of fi shermen, despite their vital contribution to the life of coastal communities. Today, their role is more widely recognised and their voices are more visible. 

During an interview with a mariscadora from Cambados, she explained that this profession gave her, above all, a great deal of independence. She appreciates the freedom it offers her to organise her own time, as well as the opportunity to earn her own income. This fi nancial independence allows her to make her own decisions and not to depend on any other source of income. 

This idea is refl ected in the results of several studies focusing on women in the Galician fishing industry. The study by Crespi-Vallbona and Cooper (2023) shows, in particular, that many mariscadoras view their work as a way of balancing family and professional life whilst remaining deeply attached to their local area. They also describe themselves as ‘guardians of the sea’, responsible for protecting the resources on which their community depends. 

The mariscadoras therefore embody much more than just a traditional trade. They represent a form of female empowerment based on autonomy, the passing on of knowledge and the sustainable management of the environment. Their work contributes not only to the local economy, but also to the preservation of a unique cultural and natural heritage. In a sector historically dominated by men, they demonstrate every day that women play a vital role in the future of Galicia’s coastal communities. 

Coline Mainguy, Associação Intercultural Para Todos