This long-term reportage documents the lives of the fishermen of Mola di Bari, my hometown, portraying a profession and a way of life that are steadily disappearing. Deeply rooted in the town’s identity, artisanal fishing today exists on the margins, threatened by economic pressures, environmental changes, and generational rupture. Through this work, I seek to preserve the dignity and humanity of those who continue to face the sea despite uncertainty and decline.

I have been developing this project since 2022, immersing myself in the fishermen’s daily routines and building relationships based on trust, time, and shared experience. Access to their boats and personal spaces was granted gradually, through patience and mutual respect. This closeness allowed me to document not only the physical labor of fishing, but also the emotional weight carried by these men—solitude at sea, solidarity among crews, and resilience in the face of an uncertain future.

Beyond the act of fishing, the reportage explores a cultural heritage inseparable from the history of Mola di Bari. As this livelihood fades, so too does a body of knowledge passed down through generations. The fishermen portrayed here stand as witnesses to the end of an era, embodying a fragile balance between tradition and survival.

This project is part of a broader, ongoing investigation into the social and cultural transformation of Mola di Bari over the past two decades. By documenting these lives, I aim to highlight the urgency of preserving both marine ecosystems and the human cultures that depend on them. This work serves as a visual record of a vanishing tradition before it disappears entirely.