In this stop-motion animation, we follow the journey of a hake (merluza)—a beloved local species—through the vibrant fishing community of El Ñuro, Peru. From the moment it's caught by skilled artisanal fishers in the Pacific Ocean to the hands of local women who prepare it into nourishing meals, this animated short traces every step of the fish’s path through the village. Along the way, we meet the many people who make this journey possible—fishermen, vendors, cooks, elders, and youth—each playing a vital role in a community-based food system rooted in care, sustainability, and tradition.

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Co-created with students as part of a pilot lesson plan supported by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this animation reflects the powerful connections between local knowledge, food systems, and storytelling. Developed as an activity within the Small-Scale Fisheries (SSF) Guidelines Curriculum, the workshop invited youth to map a fish’s journey from ocean to plate, using stop-motion animation or comics to bring the story to life.

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Through this creative, participatory method, students deepened their understanding of where their food comes from and how local fisheries nourish not only bodies, but relationships, livelihoods, and culture. In documenting the hake’s journey, the animation becomes both a learning tool and a tribute to the people and practices that sustain small-scale fishing communities.