Fishmonger Gutting Mackerel at Bazurto Market Boat

Late afternoon light falls through the wet season foliage, dappling the weathered wooden deck of a floating market boat in Cartagena. A fishmonger sits cross-legged, hands moving with practiced speed as they gut a line of fresh mackerel. Silver scales glint against the dark, damp planks while puddles reflect the low-hanging gray clouds above. Plastic basins brim with ice and fish guts, sitting beside woven baskets and rough-hewn cutting boards. The wide panoramic view shows the bustling energy of the harbor, where neighbors stand in the background under the shade of mangrove leaves. The scene is alive with the textures of wet rope, salt-stained wood, and the gleaming wet skin of the fish.