The last eel catcher of Rome

(by Alessia Cerantola for BBC's magazine)

Fifty years ago, the river Tiber in Rome was home to dozens of eel catchers, but now there is just one - Cesare Bergamini is the last professional eel fisherman on the river.

From his battered red dinghy, Cesare Bergamini waves and points at his wrist. It's 07:00 - time to go out and check on his 250 eel nets - and I've kept him waiting.

I follow the dirt road down to the river bank, leaving behind the soundtrack of Rome's busy ring road, and cross the wooden passage that links his mooring to dry land. It is cluttered with old pictures, stacks of nets and metal scales - Cesare's life at a glance. Continue reading here...