The sector is under pressure but is trying to find solutions. A perfect storm – made up of high oil prices, climate emergencies, and an increasing number of alien species – is hitting Italy's fishing industry hard. The entire Italian sectoral balance shows a negative trend reversal, with imports from foreign countries increasing. This impact has been highlighted by the European Parliament, which sent a delegation to visit fishing communities in Chioggia, Scardovari Lagoon, Gorone, Cesenatico, and Ancona, to understand the needs of fishermen and producers.

During the mission, historical data was presented, showing how the effects of the fuel price spike, despite some mitigation measures, and the increasing number of shellfish deaths caused by rising temperatures in delicate and ecologically closed Adriatic basins, a semi-enclosed area characterized by low salinity and a strong inflow of freshwater from rivers like the Po, were compounded. The interested parties, including representatives of fishermen in Chioggia, Po Delta, Cesenatico, and Ancona, expressed their concerns, and deputies also evaluated the damage caused by the invasion of the blue crab.

During the mission, stakeholder representation was guaranteed, among others, Copa-Cogeca, Confcooperative Fedagripesca, Legacoop Agroalimentare-pesca, Coldiretti Pesca, Federpesca, vongole producers, aquaculture operators, and other fishery unions. The French representative Isabelle Le Callennec (PPE) said: 'Upon our return to Brussels, we will urge the Commission and Council to revisit the common fisheries policy, particularly regarding problematic aspects such as discharge obligations, the concept of fishing capacity, onerous controls, bureaucracy, quotas, unfair competition, and illegal third-party fishing. We will strive to ensure that resources for the European Maritime Fund, Fisheries and Aquaculture Fund (EMAFF), are available in both the current budget and the long-term budget of the EU, so that the sector and regions can adapt to the various challenges they must face, including fuel prices, alien species, climate change, modernization and renewal of fleets.'

Only by meeting these conditions can we guarantee that Italian professionals can continue working in the sector with confidence and security.