Loading...
Done
Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), poses for a portrait in front of the rock known as Los Caballos (horses), where his father died 20 years ago, at the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. Spanish fisherman Santi Diaz Mosquera knows every journey down the treacherous Galician rocks in search of a handful of prized gooseneck barnacles could be his last. The dangerous practice of darting in between the huge waves that hammer against the Ferrol coastline in northwest Spain to cut the rare delicacy from the rocks claimed the life of his father nearly 15 years ago. But for Mosquera, the rewards from a successful mission are too great to ignore. He can sell 1 kg (2 lb) of the crustaceans for around 70 euros ($73). That rises to 250 euros ($260) at auction in the week before Christmas, a big sum in a region struggling since the collapse of its shipbuilding industry. On a good day Mosquera can catch 10 kg of gooseneck barnacles, also known as percebes. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), poses for a portrait in front of the rock known as Los Caballos (horses), where his father died 20 years ago, at the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. Spanish fisherman Santi Diaz Mosquera knows every journey down the treacherous Galician rocks in search of a handful of prized gooseneck barnacles could be his last. The dangerous practice of darting in between the huge waves that hammer against the Ferrol coastline in northwest Spain to cut the rare delicacy from the rocks claimed the life of his father nearly 15 years ago. But for Mosquera, the rewards from a successful mission are too great to ignore. He can sell 1 kg (2 lb) of the crustaceans for around 70 euros ($73). That rises to 250 euros ($260) at auction in the week before Christmas, a big sum in a region struggling since the collapse of its shipbuilding industry. On a good day Mosquera can catch 10 kg of gooseneck barnacles, also known as percebes. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santa Comba hermitage stands on a hill on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santa Comba hermitage stands on a hill on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), forges a scraper known as 'rapa' to sharpen it before collecting barnacles from the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), forges a scraper known as 'rapa' to sharpen it before collecting barnacles from the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), forges a scraper known as “rapa” to sharpen it before collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), forges a scraper known as “rapa” to sharpen it before collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Rosa Mosquera, 58, mother of Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), stands at the entrance of their house on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Rosa Mosquera, 58, mother of Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), stands at the entrance of their house on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), picks barnacles from rocks on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), picks barnacles from rocks on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on rocks before collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on rocks before collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Fisherman Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), carries a rope to help him hang from the rocks to collect gooseneck barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 19, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Fisherman Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), carries a rope to help him hang from the rocks to collect gooseneck barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 19, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera (R), 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), is hit by a wave while picking barnacles from sea rocks, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 19, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera (R), 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), is hit by a wave while picking barnacles from sea rocks, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 19, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



A bag known as “zaranda” (L) and a scraper known as “rapa” which are used to pick barnacles are seen on the coast near Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

A bag known as “zaranda” (L) and a scraper known as “rapa” which are used to pick barnacles are seen on the coast near Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on rocks after collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on rocks after collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Barnacles are seen on a rock on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Barnacles are seen on a rock on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), stands next to a bag known as “zaranda” filled with barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), stands next to a bag known as “zaranda” filled with barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), holds barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), holds barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles on rocks on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles on rocks on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles from rocks, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 20, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), collects barnacles from rocks, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 20, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on Santa Comba beach after collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), walks on Santa Comba beach after collecting barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera (R), 41, and Alberto, “percebeiros” (barnacle fishermen), sort barnacles before selling them, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera (R), 41, and Alberto, “percebeiros” (barnacle fishermen), sort barnacles before selling them, on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 15, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Barnacles collected by Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), are seen on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Barnacles collected by Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), are seen on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), prepares  to collect barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

Santi Diaz Mosquera, 41, a “percebeiro” (barnacle fisherman), prepares to collect barnacles on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 16, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)



A cross is seen on a rock on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)

A cross is seen on a rock on the coast of Ferrol, in the northwestern Spanish region of Galicia, December 14, 2016. (Photo by Nacho Doce/Reuters)
28 Dec 2016 06:51:00