Amvrakikos gulf has a rich fishing tradition which goes back in ancient times. The first references have been made at the time of Ancient Nicopolis presentations on mosaics and earthenware of the area. This is the time when fishing farms; called ivaria (vivarium) appeared. These fishing farms have been built at the natural openings between the lagoons and Amvrakikos gulf. Around spring time, the fish that live in the Ionian Sea enter the gulf seeking for hotter and more nourishing waters and head for the lagoons. During this season, the lagoons are filled with broods and young fish and crustaceans, such as mullets, bream, sea bass, sole, eel etc.

Once the fish enter the fishing pens, they are entrapped by some bamboo constructions (like barriers). As soon as they grow up, they can be fished later on in the lagoon. Nowadays, these fish traps have become modernized and more long -lasting and durable.

Fishing takes place with flat boats, which do not have a keel. These are called “priaria”. Fishermen use harpoons, ners, hooks, “volkous”, drums, “pezovola” and nets, depending on the fish they want to catch.

Another traditional way of fishing, which dates back to 1922 is the “Ntaliani” or “Thinio”. It is a structure on the coast along the fish crossings. Fish in order to avoid predators (such as dolphins) travel along the coast. Fishermen take advantage of this behaviour and they build the “Ntaliani”, which consists of an observation post and a big submerged net which is tied on pegs. A fisherman is observing the water from a high point of view. Once a school of fish is exactly above the net, other fishermen lift the net quickly capturing the fish.

The fishing activity in Amvrakikos lasts until our days. Each year, different local traditional festivals are organized, each one having a different fish emblem: the sardine, the shrimp, the mullet of Amvrakikos. All these confirm the long-lasting bond between human and the Amvrakikos gulf.

Finally, all around Amvrakikos, one can find organized fishing farms. The most common type of aquaculture is the farming of Mediterranean species, such as the sea bream, sea bass in floating cages, whereas in the broader area one can find cultures of mussels, eel farming, carp and trout farming.