The initiative, developed in collaboration with technology company Innoarea Projects, is competing in the Cultural Landscape category. The project stands out for its pioneering methodological approach of "non-invasive digital conservation," utilizing aerial photogrammetry with drones and hyper-realistic 3D modeling. This technique preserves the memory of risky ancestral fishing methods in a natural environment of extreme verticality and environmental protection.
Beyond international projection, the project is now operational and open to the public. Through the website pesqueres360.elpoblenoudebenitatxell.com, anyone can explore the Pesqueres of La Taula, La Branca, and El Moraig from anywhere in the world. The multi-device application is accessible and works with touch control or gyroscope on mobile phones, tablets, and computers.
Soon, the municipality will install six autonomous immersive devices (Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headsets) for residents and visitors to experience the descent down the cliffs narrated by a local fisherman.
To connect the physical space with the digital, steel beacons have been installed at coastal viewpoints and in the urban center. These supports include large-format QR codes to access the web-app and adapted signage with braille transcription. The virtual tour is available in four languages: Valencian, Spanish, English, and French, featuring professional voiceovers and informative hotspots.
The nomination for the Europa Nostra awards highlights the ethnographic value of the ancestral practice and its potential for transferability to other European coastal municipalities with heritage sites that are difficult to access.
“"The cliff-side fishing sites are one of the most authentic expressions of our identity and a unique testament to resilience in the Mediterranean. By submitting to the Europa Nostra awards, we not only aim to project the memory of the fishermen and their families internationally but also to demonstrate how technology can serve conservation without altering our protected coastline. The most satisfying aspect is that this work is no longer just an idea, but a living reality accessible to all our neighbors and visitors."
The project was funded 100% by European Union's NextGenerationEU funds, channeled through the Recovery, Transformation, and Resilience Plan of the Spanish Government, as part of the Destination Tourism Sustainability Plan for the municipality.
