The purpose of this publication is to introduce the public to the sea fishing practices of our region. Fishing methods that no longer exist, some because they were discontinued and others because they were forgotten, as well as fishing practices that are still in use today, even though advancements have changed their materials or methods.

For each fishing method, its equipment, preparation, technique, and catch (the most common fish) are described, illustrated for the first time for a greater experience and understanding of the reader. The method of each fishing practice is described through an illustrated story where the protagonists are our very own fishermen.

Alongside this, the lives of fishermen and sponge divers who engaged in these practices, some professionally and others as amateurs, are also illustrated. The illustrations are based on extensive research of old photographs, engravings, museum exhibits, interviews with seasoned fishermen, and on-site research to best convey the spirit of the era, the location, and the environment in which these fishing methods were performed.

Since there are and have been many fishing practices and their variations, this publication proceeds to a more generalized classification of fishing methods in order to facilitate the reading of the book. Additionally, each fishing practice refers to a specific place in Greece to highlight the tradition associated with that type of fishing, as well as to present the art of fishing and the life of fishermen throughout Greece over the last two centuries.

This publication showcases the daily lives, concerns, desires, needs, challenges, and recreation of sea fishermen, along with their social, economic, and cultural life in general. The publication does not cover fishing practices from lagoons, lakes, and rivers, as they constitute a distinct category, although many of the sea fishing practices are also applied there.

Moreover, the methods of fishing for sea creatures (mollusks, crustaceans, etc.) are not presented, although they are mentioned in some fishing discussions to help the reader gain a more complete picture of the fishing art. Finally, this publication does not only talk about the fishing practices and fishermen of the past. It also serves as a guide for inspiration and knowledge for current or future fishermen in our region who would like to engage in fishing.

The publication discusses the evolution of equipment and fishing methods and explains why, in reality, little has changed in the art of fishing. However much is written, the joy and journey of fishing can only be truly felt when one experiences it firsthand. Only when one feels the "tug" on their line from a fish that has bitten, sees the magic of the sea floor when the light from the fishing lamp illuminates the night, listens to the tranquility of the night with a celestial tapestry full of constellations overhead, and senses the scent, colors, and richness of the depths when the net is emptied into their boat.

Because, as the old fishermen used to say: "The school of the fisherman is his boat."