Sustainability Challenges in the Fishing Industry 

Abstract

Traditional fishing is one of the many pillars of the culture and economy of coastal communities in Italy. This study aims to investigate the meaning of sustainability and fishing practices in the city of Bari, located in the 'heel' of the Italian peninsula. From interviews conducted with fishermen and traders residing in Bari, several issues emerged: the 'Fermo Pesca' (fishing ban), the import of seafood products damaging the local one, complexities of fisheries management policies, and the impact of aquaculture on consumption and traditional fishing. These are just some of the topics that interest those who work in the sector every day, and a careful analysis of the environmental challenges and the impact of COVID-19 on the local fish market has led to a series of conclusions that outline the future direction of Bari's fish economy.  The desire to see tradition and innovation merge, keeping local traditions alive and enabling economic development in the Apulian Mediterranean, is growing stronger and stronger among coastal locations in Bari.

To reference this paper: 

Marcon, M., 2024. Sustainability challenges in the fishing industry: The case of Bari, Italy. In Towards Circular: Analysis of the coastal areas of Greece, Italy and Spain. Edited by Skupchenko, J.K. Think Tank AlterContacts. Available at: https://www.altercontacts.org/publications/towards-circular-2024/it-sd-4 

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.20413.06884

Introduction

The Italian coastline, stretching over 7,900 kilometres, is home to thousands of years of cultural and culinary traditions, making the area a protagonist of national culture and shaping the eating and social habits of coastal populations. Fishing in the boot-shaped peninsula is not simply an economic activity but a true heritage, handed down from generation to generation, representing a wealth of knowledge of the sea and practices that have allowed the balance of marine ecosystems to be maintained for centuries. 

Just as on the mainland of the peninsula, the Italian seas offer a wide range of fish products, always present on the tables and in the restaurants of the Bel Paese. It is no coincidence that fish consumption in Italy is higher than the European average: each person consumes around thirty kilograms of fish products per year, making blue fish, shellfish, and seafood fundamental ingredients in the Mediterranean diet. The Mare Nostrum is under constant pressure to cope with an ever-increasing demand for products. Additionally, overfishing, climate change and competition from large commercial fleets are just some factors affecting traditional fishing practices' sustainability.

Right in the heart of the Mediterranean lies Apulia, a region between the Adriatic Sea and the Ionian Sea covering 800 kilometres of coastline, with its rich culture and a history stretching back thousands of years. Although it is not at the top of fishing volume in Italy, it is present in every Italian fish market. Fishing in this region is characterized by artisanal methods and low impact on marine habitats: tools such as gill nets, pots, and longlines are more sustainable methods than industrial fishing, helping to preserve marine biodiversity. 

This study aims to examine the sustainability of small-scale fishermen and fish sellers in the Mediterranean, analyzing the challenges faced and future market opportunities and giving an in-depth understanding of the dynamics of the fisheries sector and the strategies needed to ensure a sustainable future for Italian coastal communities. 

Methodology

The author used a qualitative approach based on direct interviews with market players to collect relevant information on the sustainability of small-scale fishermen and fish traders in the Mediterranean. The most challenging part of the study was identifying respondents among the local traders and fishermen. Their use of dialect often raised a difficulty in communication. Many people, especially those belonging to the older generations, use local languages or Italian with a strong accent. Another obstacle was the general lack of awareness of the regional and national regulations in force and the lack of interest in the topic of sustainability. Despite these complications, the information collected was sufficient to carry out a thorough analysis of the practices and perceptions of experts in the field.

The search for material and information on this subject was aided by the fact that the author's family has been running a small shop in northern Italy for generations, and there is a tacit knowledge of the subject. In addition to interviewing the family members working in the industry, the author used the Google Scholar search to access various scholarly articles relevant to the research. The focus was on recent articles related to the Italian Mediterranean area, which give a general overview of the topics. The interviews were used to highlight the situation in the Puglia region, particularly in the city of Bari. 

By narrowing the search field with these two filters, the author was able to obtain the needed information to create a semi-structured guide of open-ended questions, allowing the respondents to express themselves freely and elaborate on any topic. The questions focused on professional history, sustainable practices, changes in product quality and quantity, changes they would like to see in the market, competition with large companies, and the impact COVID-19 has had on Bari's industry. Once the interviews were conducted, the author analyzed the transcripts of the conversations, identifying commonalities in the various arguments. This analysis highlighted trends common to several fishermen and vendors in the Puglia region. 

Sustainability Consideration in Fishing

A definition of sustainability widely accepted by scientific communities is that of the World Commission of Environment and Development (1987): "Sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs." In the fishing industry, we speak of sustainability by systems managed to achieve the best results for society, compatible with other biological objectives. In this regard, the FEAMPA (European Maritime, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund) was signed in July 2021, which focuses on four main points: the promotion of sustainable fishing and the restoration and conservation of marine species; promoting sustainable aquaculture activities, enabling a sustainable blue economy in coastal, inland and island areas; and strengthening international ocean governance for sustainable management.

Fishing Ban

Fish is one of the main products of Italian cuisine and a regular ingredient in coastal restaurants. However, the quantity of fish in the seas cannot keep up with the growing demand, putting pressure on the Italian seas (Vasilakopoukos, Marevelias, Tserpes, 2014). The so-called 'Fermo pesca' (fishing ban) is applied in all Italian seas. It is a period of interruption in different times between July and October that is implemented to allow the repopulation of the Mare Nostrum. It is a practice used to prevent overexploitation and allow repopulation of the seas. The fishing ban takes place in very specific areas, while industrial fishing in areas not included in the prohibition continues (Pipitone, 2023). Apart from this, small vessels requesting a derogation from the competent regional authorities or the MIPAAF do not have to comply with any bans; on the contrary, their sustainable and highly selective fishing, which has been present since the earliest times, allows for a continuous subsistence fishing (Minister of Labour and Social Policy, 2023).

The people interviewed work in the fishing industry in the Apulia region every day. They believe that the fishing ban is not a sustainable solution in the long term. Besides having an economic impact on the fish market, causing huge financial losses for fishermen and communities that depend on the fishing industry, it inevitably leads to importing products from other countries. Although the fishing ban is a necessary practice, it has indirect environmental repercussions on Apulia's territory; the need to meet demand during these periods leads to increased imports, exacerbating air pollution and fossil fuel consumption. According to the information provided by the fishermen interviewed, Bari, being a popular tourist destination among travellers exploring the Italian peninsula, requires a continuous and increasing supply of fish. However, the increase in the general price of fish during the ban leads restaurateurs to seek cheaper farmed fish from foreign suppliers, especially from Spain or Greece. 

Others emphasize that more than the fishing ban is required. The quantity of marine species in the seas after the ban is not enough to meet the demand for products in the market, wiping out restocking efforts or even exacerbating the situation. Some fishermen have confided that not even a one-year fishing halt would be sufficient to repopulate the Italian seas and sustain the growing demand. On a practical level, many industry workers interviewed agreed that an 'ecosystem fishing layoff season' was a better solution. Currently, the fishing ban is applied in a way that does not take into account the diversity of ecosystems and currents. For example, in the Adriatic Sea, fishing is stopped from Trieste to Ancona. While the Veneto coasts are sandy and, therefore, host a certain amount of species, the Emilia coasts are rocky and have colder currents in which different species populate. Allowing ecosystems to reproduce according to their natural characteristics and not according to national directives would, for some, be an improvement to the practice of freeze fishing, making it even more sustainable (Bastardie, 2017).

Aquaculture 

Aquaculture, also known as fish farming, deals with the cultivation of marine organisms such as fish, crustaceans, and molluscs. It is a practice deemed necessary as a response to the growing demand for fish products in Italian kitchens. It reduces pressure on wild fish populations, contributing to the conservation of marine ecosystems and species at risk of overexploitation (FAO, 2024). However, it is a practice that small-scale fishermen and traders do not receive well, as it has several negative impacts. Firstly, it has socio-economic effects on local fishing communities, reducing pressures on wild fisheries. Increasingly, it has brought the public closer to buying farmed species, altering local economic balances (Culver, Keith, 2008). Secondly, the use of antibiotics and other chemicals can lead to the contamination of wild marine ecosystems. Independent fishermen who contribute to the local fish supply in a small and sustainable way denounce this unsustainable competition and how it harms local products by favouring the consumption of products bred during fishing ban periods. 

The FAO report of 2022 recorded the increase in aquaculture species consumption, which shows a global trend in the record increase of 51% of total aquaculture production and consumption. It is a necessary practice to cope with the increased volume of fish demanded by individuals and restaurateurs (UNRIC, 2024). Aquaculture presents itself as a promising future in the marine scenario. Still, developments toward more sustainable and innovative practices are necessary and can only be achieved through cooperation between industry experts, governments, and industries.

Challenges of the Fishing Industry

Over the past twenty years, the fishing industry has undergone many changes. Although it is essential for many local sellers to maintain an excellent level of product quality, in recent years, traders have noticed a change in the quantity and quality of marine products. Species caught through wild fishing are subject to climate change and pollution of the seas, causing a decrease in the quality of the catch, as argued by the study 'Impacts of climate change on fish species and fisheries in the Mediterranean Sea' (2022). The increase in water temperatures at the surface of the Mediterranean Sea led to a mass migration of many species to colder waters, with the appearance of tropical species in our seas. Some fishermen argue that the appearance of new species will bring about changes in the consumption of fish products, altering the Italian culinary tradition. 

COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic marked the fragility of the Italian infrastructure and significantly changed the consumption of raw materials such as fish (Mirto, Montalto, 2022). All respondents agreed that before, the workload was well distributed throughout the working week, allowing fishermen and vendors to cover their operational expenses and providing economic stability that allowed them to continue operating in the sector. The pandemic transformed the industry, leading to an exponential increase in the consumption of fish raw materials. This increase was caused by the fact that people, forced into lockdown, used cooking as an escape from the asphyxiating confinement at home. Moreover, fish considered a pillar of Italian culinary culture, saw an increase in demand as a consequence of health concerns during the health crisis (Mirto, Montalto ibidem, 2022).

Despite this temporary increase in demand, the post-pandemic period presented new challenges: with the end of restrictions, work in the fish sector declined considerably. Consumption levels of unprocessed (i.e. not cooked or frozen) raw products did not return to pre-pandemic consumption levels. The decline in demand has led to an inevitable drop in earnings, which continues to be insufficient to cover the fixed expenses of traders and fishermen. This has made it difficult for many small local fishing businesses and village shops, as they have found themselves facing an unexpected economic crisis.

The respondents attribute this change to a change in people's mentality. After the pandemic, people increasingly sought out products that were already finished and ready to eat (e.g. frozen food offered by department stores or prepared by local delicatessens) and of lower quality (preference for products from aquaculture or imported from other countries such as Greece or Spain). These changes in long-term consumption habits are also echoed in the report on MDPI. Restaurants were the only ones that saw an increase in the consumption of marine products in the post-COVID-19 period, a trend explained by consumers' desire to return to the sociability missed during the pandemic. Bari restaurants, however, rely on large fishing boats for supply, overshadowing small fishermen. These changes, caused by a factor external to the fish market, revealed new structural challenges for small fish traders. 

Conclusion

Consumer education, more controls, and regionally differentiated guidelines are just some of the changes that are necessary in the local fishing industry. Among the most common expectations among Bari's fishermen is certainly that of greater protection of local products, which are part of the city's tradition, such as the curling of octopus on the rocks or the Bari-style snail soup. To keep these traditions alive, attracting the attention of young people, who are moving further and further away from their land to climb the career ladder, is necessary. Supporting local traditions would also benefit tourism and economically support small artisans and traders. The respondents also hope to see more control over the maintenance and sale of products, as it is very easy to sell a farmed bass for a caught one if there is no transparency. On the counters, by law, tags with the name, provenance, fishing method, and a range of information must be displayed so that consumers are aware of the product they are buying. Unfortunately, the lack of control in some regions or districts does not guarantee fair compliance with the law.

The local fishing industry in Apulia represents an important reality in the economic sector and a cultural heritage deeply connected to the traditions of coastal communities. Its characteristic of combining tradition and innovation inevitably leads to a market in which challenges are the order of the day. The continued growth of department stores, climate change, and COVID-19 have been just some of the obstacles that fishermen and small traders have faced in recent years. Ensuring a sustainable future is a challenge, and only greater respect for ecosystems, conscious consumption, and innovations can ensure that the Apulian Mediterranean becomes not just a tourist destination but a place where traditions and marine biodiversity can be preserved.

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