Cabras, the fisherman Giovanni Poddi retires after 62 years spent in the pond

When he looks at "his" pond he is moved. After all, that huge body of water was his home for 62 years. A whole life with nets in hand. Giovanni Poddi, 70, left the Mar'e Pontis Consortium a few days ago to enjoy his retirement. He is the oldest fisherman among the 150 who work in the Cabrarese lagoon. Not an easy greeting for him after years of work.

The story – Giovanni Poddi began being a fisherman at the age of eight with his father Luigino: «I went to school and worked. You had to bring the money home, it was a different time - he says - It's a job I've always liked».

Giovanni Poddi in the seventies was an employee of Don Efisio Carta, at the time the baron of the lagoon: «He was a good person. Every day at 14.30 he arrived at the fishpond and for hours he observed our work inside the catching chambers. He was very proud of us. He's never been the boss."

Then there was the kidnapping. On 16 November 1978 Don Efisio was kidnapped on his land in Turr 'e Seu: «The head of the guards, Francesco Castangia, gave us the news - says Giovanni Poddi - I still remember that moment. It was terrible news."

The Consortium – In 1982 the pond was purchased by the Region. In 1993, from the union of 11 fishermen's cooperatives, the Mar'e Pontis Consortium was born: «Once we were 420 heads - the fisherman continues - Not the 150 fishermen of now in short. Everyone had their say but in the end, after animated discussions, an agreement was always found. Every day in the catching chamber was a challenge to see who could catch the most mullets by hand. In a few hours it was possible to catch even one hundred quintals of fish. Good old times. I will miss the pond and not a little.'