Small-scale fishing, development and protection of the Capo Rizzuto protected area:the comparison

Barrels (Ami):"We want to be a transmission belt between fishermen and institutions"

CROTONE – 'Small-scale fishing, between development and protection of the sea':this is the title of the event promoted by the Province of Crotone and the Marine Protected Area of ​​Capo Rizzuto, organized by Italian Sea Environment – Ami Ets, on the initiative of the Province of Crotone.The aim of the event, which was held in the historic headquarters of the Crotone Naval League, was to launch a public discussion on the activities of small-scale coastal fishing in the Marine Protected Area of ​​Capo Rizzuto, among the largest in Italy.

The works were introduced by the president of the Naval League of Crotone Gianni Liotti, with subsequent interventions by Raffaele Gareri, provincial councilor, delegate to the Capo Rizzuto protected area and Tourism;Domenico Morello, Commander of the Port Authority of Crotone;Rosanna Nardo of the Leucotea Crotone consortium;Manuela Asteriti, from the Crotone Fishermen's Association;and Gaia Grasso of the Anton Dohrn Zoological Station.The president of Ambiente Mare Italia, Alessandro Botti, moderated the interventions.

“This initiative of discussion in Crotone, in a wonderful setting of the Naval League of Crotone, between fishermen, institutions and researchers from the Anton Dhorn zoological station is very important”.So to Dire Botti who added:“Fishing and the marine protected area of ​​Capo Rizzuto are fundamental resources for this territory, they must be relaunched, protected and enhanced“.

And Ambiente Mare Italia “wants to be a drive belt among fishermen who - Botti again - are increasingly in difficulty, not only here but throughout Italy, and the institutions that must deal with facilitating fishing activity and also making it sustainable and respectful of the environment".“The marine protected area of ​​Capo Rizzuto can be a melting pot of biodiversity and the sea ​​master of resiliencea, it is generated immediately, but the sea must be respected and therefore we are here - he concluded - so that the comparison serves to grow an ecological culture also among fishermen".

Thanks to the scientific support of Anton Dohrn Zoological Station, the project 'Investigations and studies for the drafting of a plan and management model for artisanal coastal fishing activities in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area', aims to protect biodiversity and marine ecosystems within sustainable fisheries. With a multidisciplinary approach, the project aims to:characterize the small-scale fishing activities within the MPA through a correct use of fishing equipment in different seasons, so from distribute the fishing effort and compose the catches in an increasingly sustainable contextAnd; evaluate the state of coastal fish resources on which small-scale fishing insists with the identification of potential nursery areas for species with high socio-ecological value; evaluate sensitivity to chronic anthropogenic impacts of the areas within the Marine Protected Areas, through the active involvement of local fishing operators.

“The marine protected area – highlighted Gareri to Dire – is strategically relevant, because from the sea resource we are able to draw on that development model which is increasingly moving towards responsible and compatible development and which takes into account its territorial vocation.It is clear – he reiterated – that in a dynamic situation, the institutions must seize this opportunity.We are doing this by resuming the management of the protected area which was very static and bureaucratic.We are recovering it in its essential values, linking it to a vision that places the sea in respect for nature, which means - the provincial councilor commented - also protection with compatible activities".

The dissemination and awareness initiative promoted in Crotone falls within the scope of the project 'Investigation and studies for the drafting of a plan and management model on artisanal coastal fishing activities in the Capo Rizzuto Marine Protected Area as part of the Feamp 2014- 2020', created thanks to Masaf.