Being a father and working at sea: stories of dedication and love at Cooke España

Being a father and working at sea is more than just a profession—it’s a way of life, passed down from generation to generation. For these Cooke España employees, their work not only allows them to provide for their families but also teaches values such as dedication, hard work, and respect for the sea. Each story is unique, but they all share the same deep sentiment: the pride of seeing their legacy reflected in their children.

Work can often be seen as just a way to make a living, but at Cooke España, for some of our employees, it means much more than that. It is a heritage, a bond that connects fathers and sons through effort, commitment, and love for the sea.

Some of them grew up watching their fathers set sail every day, dreaming of following in their footsteps. Others took the lead, unknowingly paving the way for their own fathers to join the Cooke family. What they all share is the pride of having learned from those they admire most and the satisfaction of giving back, on this Father’s Day, a heartfelt tribute to their fathers’ dedication and legacy.

From generation to generation

Francisco Javier started his career at Cooke before his own father, who had been a lifelong fisherman. Alejandro grew up watching his father work at sea and always dreamed of following in his footsteps. For Juan Manuel, the story was reversed—his son decided to follow his example and join the company, filling him with pride. Jesús, with over 30 years of experience, has not only passed down his passion for working at sea to his son but has also had the chance to teach him with his own hands.

Today, we get to know more about their experiences and stories at Cooke España, told in their own words.

Fathers and sons at Cooke España

Francisco Javier Fernández Roca – Production Plant Manager at Piagua (Almería)

• How did your father’s work at Cooke España influence your decision to follow in his footsteps?.
  I actually started working at Cooke before my father, but he has been a fisherman his entire life. Shortly after, he also joined the company, and I was fortunate to work alongside him for his last 11 years before retirement.

• What is the greatest lesson your father taught you about this profession, and how do you apply it daily?. One thing my father taught me that I apply every day is to lead by example at work. He instilled many values in me, but above all, he emphasized the importance of always being available, taking on any task with the best attitude, and always giving my best. I believe that mindset of commitment and effort is key in any job, and here at Cooke, it is highly valued.

• If you had to describe in one word what it means to have shared this experience with your father at Cooke España, what would it be and why?. It’s difficult to sum up working side by side with my father in just one word, but if I had to choose, it would be PRIVILEGE. It is a privilege to work alongside the person you have admired since childhood and to have the opportunity to learn from him. As kids, our parents are the people we aspire to become.

• Any message for your father on this special day – Father’s Day?. I just want to say: thank you for passing on your passion for the sea. It was an honor to work with you.

Alejandro Acosta Martínez – Sailor at Lebeche Cartagena

• How did your father’s work at Cooke España influence your decision to follow in his footsteps?. I grew up watching my father work at sea. I was always drawn to this profession, and working alongside him makes it even more special.

• What is the greatest lesson your father taught you about this profession, and how do you apply it daily?. The most important lesson my father taught me is to be hardworking, punctual, and always willing to help others.

• If you had to describe in one word what it means to have shared this experience with your father at Cooke España, what would it be and why?. Sharing this experience with my father makes me proud because no one could teach me better than him.

• Any message for your father on this special day – Father’s Day?. My message to him: “Old man, watch where you step, because I am following in your footsteps”.

Juan Manuel Sánchez – Feeding Captain at Pescaviva Real (Águilas)

• How did your work at Cooke España influence your son’s decision to follow in your footsteps?. When my son decided to follow my path, learn about working at sea, and become part of Cooke España, I was very happy. To me, this is a great company.

• If you had to describe in one word what it means to share this experience with your son at Cooke España, what would it be and why?. I feel very proud and reassured to see how responsible my son (also named Juan Manuel) is. He loves his job, he is thriving, and his colleagues speak highly of him. He is also working on his captain certification with great skill, aiming for a promotion. He is literally following in my footsteps.

• Any message for your father on this special day – Father’s Day?. The first advice I give my son is to be a good person, and the second is to always learn from the best workers. I also tell him that whenever he has a question, he should ask me, because no one will teach him better than his father.
  

Jesús Paredes Robles – Night Watchman at Pescaviva Real (Águilas)

• How did your father’s work at Cooke España influence your decision to follow in his footsteps?. Although working at sea requires many sacrifices, I am proud that my son, Ismael, is following in my footsteps and that I have had the chance to teach him myself, with 30 years of experience at the company.

• How has the experience of working alongside your son been?. Ismael joined Cooke España two years ago as a feeding sailor while I was a captain. So, we have had the opportunity to work together from the beginning. Today, he has already earned his captain’s license and is ready to keep growing. When I took on the role of night watchman, my son wanted to follow my path as well. I know he wants to learn from me—because if someone else is going to teach him, who better than his own father?.

• Any message for your father on this special day – Father’s Day?. My advice to him: Do your job the best you can, as if you were doing it for yourself. But always prioritize your safety.

Thank you to everyone for sharing your stories at Cooke España—stories of life, of values passed from fathers to sons, and of lessons that will be remembered not just on this Father’s Day, but every day of the year.