Welcome to Póvoa do Varzim!
- António Rui
- Purse Seine Fishing
- Partner since 2026
- Póvoa do Varzim, Portugal
In Póvoa do Varzim, a true fishing town in northern Portugal, everything revolves around sardines. António Rui comes from a family of fishermen and has spent his whole life at sea. In the middle of the night, he and his crew head out onto the Atlantic Ocean. Using their knowledge of wind, moon phases, and ocean currents, they determine where the schools of sardines are swimming.
As soon as the sonar detects a school, everything moves fast. Using a small support boat, they set the purse seine net precisely around the school. In complete darkness — without any lights — they slowly close the net. Rui explains: “You have to understand the sea. It’s all about timing and instinct.”
After a night of fishing, the boat returns to the harbor in the early morning. The sardines are unloaded immediately — some go to auction, while others head straight to the canning factories. Thanks to the short fishing trips and careful handling, the quality of the fish stays exceptional.
From April through September, sardine season is in full swing. After that, the fishery closes for four months. That break is intentional: it gives fish stocks time to recover. Rui sees the results firsthand: “There’s more fish in the sea again. Fewer fishing days, but better catches. That’s the way it should be.”
António Rui grew up among the boats and nets of Póvoa do Varzim. He first stepped aboard his father’s vessel when he was just eight years old and immediately knew: this is my life. Today, he runs the family business together with his brother. “The sea is everything to me. If you respect her, she takes care of you in return.”
No worries, none of Sea Tales' products use BPA in the cans. BPA (Bisphenol A) is a chemical commonly used as a plastic coating in packaging, like in metal cans. This coating is necessary to prevent food from reacting with the metal, which can be toxic.
However, research shows that BPA can interfere with hormone balance. That's why we've made a conscious decision to use BPA-free cans. Additionally, our cans are regularly tested to ensure they fully comply with strict FDA regulations.
After opening the can, store the sardines in a non-metal, airtight container in the fridge. They will stay fresh for up to 2 days!
Our sardines are real all-rounders! You can eat them straight from the can—perfect for a quick, tasty snack. Whether you go for sardines in olive oil, with chili, lemon, or spicy tomato sauce, they’re all delicious on a cracker or just as they are.
Want to use them in a dish? No problem! Canned sardines are perfect for salads, pasta dishes, sandwiches, or even stews. Looking for more inspiration? Check out our recipes on the recipe page!
Sardines are little powerhouses from the sea! As an oily fish, they are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids like EPA and DHA, which your body cannot produce on its own. These essential fatty acids support brain function and keep your heart and blood vessels in top condition.
But there’s more: sardines are packed with more calcium, iron, and vitamin B12 than many other types of fish. Perfect for pescatarians—or anyone looking for a healthy boost.
And did you know the olive oil our sardines swim in is rich in unsaturated fats and vitamin E? Together, they turn our sardines into not just a flavorful bite, but a super healthy addition to any meal!
Sardines are typically eaten with the skin and bones, and that’s perfectly fine! They are carefully cleaned and filleted, and through the canning process, the skin and bones become wonderfully soft over time. You can eat them safely, often without even noticing the bones. In fact, the bones are what make sardines so healthy, as they are packed with vitamins and minerals, such as calcium.
Sardines
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