As part of their pre-biennial research for Manifesta 15, the Embassy of the North Sea is studying the impact of pollution, desalination and introduced species in the wetlands and rivers of Barcelona. From July 11th to 14th, 2024, they organised the Not Illegal Fishing Competition in the Llobregat River.

The competition addresses issues of care and responsibility for non-human actors in our urban ecosystem. The first day was aimed at local children, with 25 kids around the age of ten, many of whom had never been near the river, being fascinated by the creatures they discovered and reluctant to leave the water. Other local residents, such as a woman working for an organisation monitoring Barcelona's drinking water quality, also took the opportunity to learn more about the Llobregat River. This event helped connect people with the river, whose beauty and conflicts will be showcased in the Embassy of the North Sea's installation for Manifesta 15 visitors.

The competition highlights a common conflict in the environmental movement, pitting ecological system thinkers against animal rights activists. This conflict is mirrored in Catalan law: one law requires fishermen to kill any invasive species they catch, while others prohibit cruelty and violence against animals. The Not Illegal Fishing Competition opens up this complex negotiation between human and non-human interests.

The research findings will be exhibited in Casa Gomis, the main venue of the Balancing Conflicts cluster, as part of Manifesta 15 Barcelona Metropolitana.