The competition ran from July 11–14, 2024. On the first two days, we hosted children from summer camps in Barcelona Metropolitana, and over the weekend, the event was open to the public. In total, more than 100 participants signed up and joined, many of whom were visiting the Llobregat River for the first time.
The Not Illegal Fishing Competition was monitored and guided by ecologist Pau Fortuño Estrada, with consultation from Dr. Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles (IDAEA-CSIC) and Dr. Fang-Yee Lin (Science in Field, Taiwan).
El Llobregat downstream. There is little connection between the river and the local residents.
“With the development of the industrial colonies, one after another, the Llobregat River became to be called the “most exploited river in the world”. Only in retrospect is it easier to appreciate this navel glaring. But the reputation of the Llobregat as a hard working river, producing much with little, stuck in the minds of the Catalans. A “Llobregat mentality” entered the Catalan lexicon as a way of describing someone able to maximise the exploitation of resources, no matter how small, for the maximum advantage.”
From “The Llobregat River Basin: A Paradigm of Impaired Rivers Under Climate Change Threats”, Marcé, Rafael, et al. (2012)
Invasive species in El Llobregat
Water proof species identification card for the participants. Designed by Jasmine De Bruycker
Native species in El Llobregat
Water proof species identification card for the participants. Designed by Jasmine De Bruycker
Foldable competition pamphlet.
Designed and illustrated by Jasmine De Bruycker and Wieger Windhorst.
Event cartoon by Wieger Windhorst
iNaturalist event page. 12 species were documented during the weekend event; most of them are invasive species. Statistics are subject to change as the iNaturalist community refines the entries.
The site of the competition at El Llobregat downstream.
Catalonia law mandating immediate killing of invasive species upon capture (English translation).
Catalonia law on animal protection (English translation).
Invasive blue crab captured and eradicated in Not Illegal Fishing Competition. Photo by Rosa Borrell.
Carp eradicated by a participant from the Catalonian fishing association. Video footage by Helena Roig Prats.
Installation view #1 at Casa Gomis. Under “Balancing Conflict“ cluster in Manifesta 15.
Installation view #2 at Casa Gomis. Under “Balancing Conflict“ cluster in Manifesta 15.
Installation view #3 at Casa Gomis. Under “Balancing Conflict“ cluster in Manifesta 15.
Not Illegal Fishing Competition
2023-2024; participatory project
Commissioned by Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana
In collaboration with the Embassy of the North Sea
Flowing from afar to the heart of Barcelona, the Llobregat River is both vital and neglected. Heavily polluted since the Industrial Revolution, it supplies half the city’s drinking water daily, yet many residents have never visited it.
Today, river’s ecosystem hosts more introduced species than native ones, particularly in its downstream areas. Here, eight invasive species have established themselves, including the Florida pond turtle, mosquito fish, common carp, Welsh catfish, common bleak, Asian clam, New Zealand mud snail, and American crayfish. This proliferation raises difficult questions: Are we oversimplifying by labeling invasive species as “bad”? To what extent should humans interfere with nature and biodiversity? Is the concept of invasive species a scientific classification or an ethical judgment?
The Not Illegal Fishing Competition seeks to engage the public with these questions and the broader ecosystem of the Llobregat. Inspired by invasive-species fishing competitions in Taiwan, the event invites participants to identify species using the iNaturalist app, while licensed fishers may also bring their own gear. Guided by ecologists, participants are encouraged to explore the ethics of invasive species management and human roles in ecosystem care.
This competition highlights the layered responsibilities humans have toward non-human life in urban ecosystems. At the heart of the event is a tension within environmentalism: Catalan law mandates the removal of invasive species, yet other laws prohibit cruelty to animals. Through this conflict, the Not Illegal Fishing Competition opens a space for reflection on navigating human and non-human interests—prompting participants to reconsider questions of care, responsibility, and the ethical complexities of ecological intervention.
Supported by Ammodo and Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to Spain
Concept: Sheng-Wen Lo, Leon Lapa Pereira, Harpo ‘t Hart
Graphic design and illustrations: Jasmine De Bruycker
Cartoon: Wieger Windhorst
Ecological Advice: Pau Fortuño Estrada, Miguel Cañedo-Argüelles
Production: Javi Morera, Aina Canyelles
Thanks to: Christiane Bosman, Thijs Middeldorp, Pau Esteban, Dr. Fang-Yee Lin
Manifesta 15 takes place across the metropolitan region of Barcelona from the 8th of September until the 24th of November 2024.