Yesterday, the president of Op del Pesce Claudio Pedroni he intervened before the eighth Senate Commission on the occasion of the discussion of the Draft Law 1624, Draft Law for the Valorization of the Sea Resource. Pedroni intervened to ask that the’aquaculture be explicitly included in the measure, The meeting was an important opportunity to highlight to legislators the central role that the maritime agricultural sector can play in economic development, employment, and the sustainable management of resources, in light of international dynamics and the challenges still present in Italy.
In his speech, Pedroni highlighted that aquaculture represents the food sector with the highest growth rate in the world, A trend that is also confirmed at the European level. However, Italy, despite being the first fish consumption market in Europe, it fails to express its productive potential due to a structural limitation: the scarcity of maritime land concessions intended for breeding facilities.
Currently, they are operational in our country. only 19 concessions, This is an extremely small number compared to other European realities such as Greece, with 320. This imbalance severely limits Italy’s ability to develop a competitive, innovative supply chain capable of generating economic value in the territory.
Pedroni emphasized that Law 1624 could represent a strategic turning point, Because it would make it easier to access the marine spaces dedicated to aquaculture. This would not only promote the growth of the sector but also employment in the coastal areas where the concessions operate.
Another aspect highlighted concerns the sustainability. The Ministry of Agriculture has recently introduced certification Sustainable Aquaculture, By officially recognizing the industry’s commitment to responsible and environmentally compatible practices.
For this reason, according to Pedroni, it is essential that aquaculture find adequate space in the new regulatory framework: only in this way will Italy be able to close the gap with other European countries and give impetus to a sector that combines innovation, food safety, sustainability and economic development.