From a natural point of view, the Strait of Messina represents a very particular and unique environment, where Thyrrenian and Ionian seas meet and, due to very complex hydrographic phenomena, create characteristic alternations of constant, and often strong, currents determining the presence of several species and behaviours typical of some hicthyc species. Consequently all through the centuries the unique fishing methods have been developped, and today they are still in use successfully. Among them there is no doubt that the traditional sword-fish capture deserves a special consideration.
The sword-fish (Xiphias gladius) capture in the strait of Messina has been practiced for centuries with the same old system, and only a few variations which are not related to the fishing method but the modernization of the fishing boats used. In fact, at the beginning, fishing was carried out using small but very fast rowing boats called luntri
which supported a big boat provided with a main-mast about 10 metres high called fulua . Such a boat was anchored at about 400 metres from the coast. When a sailor watched a sword-fish from a main-must, he showed it to a member of the crew (patrùni), took a long boom provided with a hook and threw it with great skill hitting the fish ; that started a furious fight. All through the years, the system has remained the same, but the fishing boats have changed. Today they are 15 metres long, and are eqiupped with powerful engins, a main-mast (n'tinna) 25/30 metres high and a gangway reaching a lenght of 60 metres in the biggest boats. The feluca controls are on the main-mast, the crew is usually composed of 6 men, 3 of whom are watchers. As soon as they identify the sword-fish, the boat starts approaching it
until the hooker hits the prey.