The bays of Tarska Vala and Santa Marina

The specific fishing practice in Tarska Vala has been carried out in the same way for a millennium. Numerous documents bear witness to this, most often those referring to the fishing rights of the bishops of Poreč.

A net is used to close off the bay, surrounding the fish, after which the net, up to two kilometres long, is pulled towards the shore. Fish, most commonly sea bass and mullet, have always arrived in large shoals to this bay, where the freshwater of the Mirna River mixes with seawater. The other fishing bay is Santa Marina, belonging to the people of Vabriga. Fishing boats set out towards the open sea in the late afternoon, nets are cast, and the following morning, if luck allows, the catch is brought in.

In this bay there is also a shellfish farm, as well as an excursion area with a restaurant. When it is not fishing season, fishermen devote themselves with great care to their olive groves and vineyards.

The most famous fishing bay in this area is Santa Marina, full of shellfish, nets and picturesque boats that head out to the open sea at dusk. All these delicacies can be tasted in the restaurants in the bay itself, in a homely atmosphere with a view of the fishermen. A special delicacy is sardines salted by the hands of local housewives.