Master Tuna Carver, (Ronqueador) Carlos Lopez Nieto from Algeciras © Michelle Chaplow
II Ronqueo del Atún en Estepona 2026
Live tuna carving by Carlos Lopez Nieto ( Ronqueador) © andalucia.com
II. Carving of the Tuna in Estepona, II Ronqueo del Atún en Estepona 2026
The second 'Ronqueo del Atún' took place on Saturday, 15 November 2026 at 13:00 next to La Escollera restaurant in Estepona Port.
This annual event, organised by La Escollera restaurant, featured Carlos López, also known as 'Ronqueador', who demonstrated the traditional method of cutting up a large bluefin tuna. During the process, Carlos explained the different cuts of the fish.
The ronqueo, which can only be translated into English as 'cutting', 'slicing' or 'filleting', is a technique that ensures every part of the fish is used.
Originally scheduled for the previous day, a series of passing thunderstorms forced the organisers to postpone the open-air event by a day. As a result, Sunday was a beautiful sunny day, and the numbers swelled to perhaps twice those that could be seated in the low-level grandstand area.
Attendees were able to buy a range of specially prepared tuna dishes, such as tuna tartare, tuna carpaccio, tuna gildas, tuna mojama, and rice with tuna.
These were complemented by the traditional pastries from Los Verdiales.
A live band played a version of 'Between Two Rivers' as the tuna was brought out from the wholesale fish market (the Lonja), and the music continued after the ronqueo by the band Tarifa Plana until 6 pm.
The first free public ronqueo was organised by La Escollera restaurant in November 2025 to celebrate its 85-year history.
This tuna-cutting demonstration was the first event of its kind to be held in the town.
About Carlos Lopez 'El Ronqueador'
Carlos López, also known as "El Ronqueador" or "El Vikingo", is a Spanish master tuna butcher who specialises in live bluefin tuna carving, or ronqueo. He performs traditional ronqueos, the intricate artisanal process of breaking down giant bluefin tuna into distinct culinary cuts, in front of an audience. He has worked with brands such as Chambao Maldives and Aria Tuna Fishing, where he was filmed breaking down a 359 kg bluefin tuna.
Instagram @carloslopez_ronqueador