Maurizio Giacalone, the president of red shrimp producers organization Blue Sea, has addressed a pressing issue to the attention of Italian government officials. In a letter directed to the Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, Matteo Salvini, and the Minister of Defense, Guido Crosetto, Giacalone highlights the urgent need to address the challenges faced by Italian fishing vessels operating in the waters neighboring the Libyan Fisheries Protection Zone.

Background

Giacalone’s letter sheds light on the ramifications of an international agreement dating back to 1982, known as the Montgomery Agreement. This agreement saw Libya extending its territorial waters beyond the conventional 12-mile limit, creating a Fisheries Protection Zone extending 62 miles into the sea. As a consequence, Italian fishing vessels, particularly those from the fishing community of Mazara del Vallo, found themselves significantly restricted in their operations, being forced to operate further away from the Libyan coast.

The situation has been exacerbated by the enforcement of regulations that impede Italian fishing vessels from operating in neighboring areas beyond the 74 nautical miles mark, despite being outside Libyan jurisdiction. This has led to increased pressure on Italian fishermen, who are already navigating within strict EU regulations aimed at ensuring sustainable fishing practices.

Call to Action

Giacalone emphasizes the need for government intervention to address these challenges promptly. He urges the ministries to serve as mediators in resolving the issue and ensuring that Italian fishing vessels can operate freely in international waters without facing impediments from Italian authorities.

The restrictions not only pose challenges to the livelihoods of Italian fishermen but also raise concerns about environmental sustainability. With vessels being confined to smaller areas, there’s a risk of overexploitation of resources, which could have long-term detrimental effects on marine ecosystems.