Small-scale fishers in Emilia-Romagna face crisis

Small-scale coastal fishers along the Romagna coast, from Porto Garibaldi to Cattolica, are reporting a severe crisis characterized by a lack of catch and the presence of mucilage. Operators state that recent fishing trips have failed to yield enough fish to cover operational costs, leading to many boats remaining docked.

Davide Vasini, president of the Rete della Piccola Pesca Costiera dell’Emilia-Romagna, warned of a “catastrophic winter” ahead. He noted that approximately 44 companies and 50 boats within their network are currently idle. To mitigate losses, some operators are considering the decommissioning of vessels, though this complicates access to support instruments.

The economic strain is compounded by high fuel costs and a long-term decline in profitability. Regional data indicates that between 2015 and 2025, the sector has faced shrinking catches and revenues due to factors including mucilage, anoxia, invasive species, and rising costs, leaving small-scale fleets more vulnerable than larger industrial operations.