Sicily fishing sector crisis prompts call for regional emergency aid

Sicilian fishing cooperatives and representative bodies—including Agci AgroIttico, Agripesca, Anapi Pesca, Confcooperative Agroalimentare e Pesca, Lega Coop Agroalimentare e Pesca, Federpesca, Unci Agroalimentare and Unicoop—appeared before the Third Commission of the Sicilian Regional Assembly to highlight a severe crisis in the island's fishing industry. They cited climate‑change impacts on fish stocks, soaring energy and fuel prices, rising operating costs and reduced profitability, arguing that national and EU measures are insufficient. The associations demanded urgent refinancing of the regional solidarity fund to provide liquidity to struggling vessels and requested a follow‑up meeting with Regional Agriculture Minister Luca Sammartino to secure concrete regional support.

The hearing underscored the sector’s strategic importance for the island’s economy, employment and cultural identity, and warned that many boats are forced to curtail or cease operations as costs outstrip revenues.