Riccardo Rigillo, General Director, Maritime Fisheries and Aquaculture, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry Policies represents Italy in the negotiations on a multinational, multiannual management plan for the Central Mediterranean. A plan is necessary to safeguard certain valuable stocks, such as crustaceans, and to point fisheries in the Mediterranean in the direction of sustainability.
The discard ban and the landing obligation for small pelagics has now been in force for a year. Has the introduction of this legislation had an impact on pelagic fishermen’s behaviour? As discards may not be used for human consumption when they are landed, what alternative uses are foreseen for this material? Can the Italian experience be used as a model for other countries in the Adriatic?
The Italian experience has been strictly coordinated with other Adriatic EU countries. Discard plans – submitted by Italy, Croatia and Slovenia – have been adopted at EU level. At present we do not experience major problems with undersized catches that – if present – are well under the “de minimis” percentage exemption. The only problem that our fishermen are experiencing is additional work on board that of course slows down operations. We will probably start experimenting with ways to use landed undersized demersal catches in the near future. One of the solutions being contemplated is the use of this by-product as a means to produce bio-gas.
On the same topic, the landing obligation for demersal species is being phased in between 2017 and 2019. In a mixed demersal fishery as seen in the Mediterranean many experts feel that this may not be the optimal way to reduce catches of unwanted fish as the reasons for discards are so varied. How can this legislation be implemented in a way that also responds to the misgivings of the specialists?
The CFP demands us to work on landing obligation for target species, because the target species of each fishery are those through which both unwanted catches and effort can be regulated. That is why we need to identify the species that lead the fisheries in order to regulate catches and effort on the entire mix. The need to reach MSY by 2020, is paramount for us and this will be the main tool to get the result we want.
The Strait of Sicily to the eastern part of the Mediterranean is an area, where fleets from Europe and North Africa are active. While most of these vessels are fishing legitimately, there are concerns that some fishing boats are engaged in unlawful activities. A multinational, multiannual plan for the region is being discussed. What stage have these discussions reached and from an Italian perspective what are the priorities such a plan should address?
This is not an easy topic, involving many countries, often non-EU, which means different rules and mentalities. In any case the issue has to be addressed in the wider multilateral context of FAO-GFCM. We have a good cooperation with North African countries. Our major concerns are the protection of the stocks (rose shrimp being the most important species) and the sustainability of the fisheries. Targeted closure of significant nursery areas, list of vessels and reduction of fleets/effort, together with implementing VMS technology for all vessels are the main tools to address the problem. Of course we are aware that compliance is of the greatest importance and that a series of IUU concerns have to be addressed together with other contracting parties.
This regional plan involves countries where infrastructure, socioeconomics, and other factors impact the ability to reliably collect and record data. How can Italy support these countries in their effort to collect the data on which such a plan should be based?
We can certainly offer support with our know-how and technical expertise. We already cooperate with countries in the area in the sector of research for fisheries management – namely through the FAO Sub-regional project MedSudMed, Italy being its promoter and main donor country. I think we should act along the same line in the future, in order to address the problems you mentioned.
In February a high level conference was held in Catania on the state of stocks in the Mediterranean and the CFP approach. What were the main conclusions of the conference and what impact will they have on the management of the sector in Italy?
The Conference has been very important because it raised the awareness at all levels of the concerning status of the stocks in the Mediterranean. Apart from different scientific evaluations, it is quite clear that some important stocks are in a critical situation. Some of the problems were also highlighted at the conference including data quality, research effort, and management issues. The event allowed us to share with all the stakeholders these concerns, in order to take immediate action.
The European Maritime and Fisheries Fund clearly prioritises the development of the aquaculture sector in Europe. How does Italy plan to make the most of this opportunity to make its aquaculture industry both freshwater and marine more dynamic, diversified, and sustainable as envisaged in the national strategy?
Aquaculture has a great potential, also for blue growth and jobs. In Italy a good deal of the management competences are held at regional level. Nonetheless the key factor for success, passes through a strategic initiative and directions at central level. This must touch critical areas such as innovation and research. My impression is that especially marine aquaculture has the highest potential at the moment and there is a strong need for clear guidelines from the central government. I would like to stress once more some of the keywords for a way forward in aquaculture. Simplification and less red tape; more attention to market issues and consumer awareness; healthy products; environmental sustainability and low impact. For achieving this, we need also a strict cooperation and involvement of all the Mediterranean countries. That is why Italy promoted an aquaculture task force at GFCM FAO level where all members are going to participate. The first meeting of the task force will be held in Naples, early May.
