Calabria fishing regulations: Consumer group seeks clarity on sardine management

The consumer rights association Avvocati dei Consumatori has filed a formal request for access to documents from the Calabria Regional Government to clarify the management plans for juvenile sardine fishing. The request, led by territorial representative Paola Bellomo, targets the Department of Agriculture, Agri-food Resources, and Forestry.

The initiative seeks to understand the administrative process for obtaining a European Union regulatory derogation under Regulation (EC) No. 1967/2006, which governs Mediterranean fishing and limits the capture of juvenile species such as Sardina pilchardus and Sardinella aurita. The association expressed concern over a lack of institutional clarity following previous political announcements and experimental phases.

According to the association, the regulatory uncertainty threatens the local economy, food safety, and Calabrian cultural identity. The absence of a clear framework creates risks such as the forced use of imported fish species that lack traditional value, or the potential rise of an unregulated black market for raw materials.