Lanço da Tainha (Traditional Mullet Fishing)

The lanço da tainha (traditional mullet net fishing) is one of the most important traditions of caiçara culture in Pontal do Paraná and takes place mainly during winter, between May and July.

The fishing is done by hand by the caiçaras, using canoes without engines, powered only by oars, just as the old fishermen have done for generations. When a school of fish is spotted at sea, the canoes encircle the fish with large circular nets in shallow water.

Then the collective work begins: fishermen, residents and even tourists help pull the net onto the sand. The moment brings together strength, partnership and tradition, turning the catch into a true cultural spectacle.

On days with favorable sea conditions, with a south wind and cold water, a single haul can yield tons of mullet, boosting the local economy and supporting many families.

Beyond the fishing itself, mullet is also the base of Cambira, a typical dish of Pontal do Paraná made with smoked fish, banana and pirão (a cassava flour porridge), a symbol of the region's caiçara cuisine.