(Finance) – Awareness is growing on the part of consumers Italians of the concept of sustainable fishing with an increase of more than two percentage points compared to 2022, reaching 58.1%. Eight out of ten Italians declare themselves willing to modify or reduce their consumption by insertingdaily nutrition also species fished using artisanal methods with a low environmental impact to help improve the management of the seas. The impact of the emergency is strong”crab blue”, so much so that 87% of the supply chain declare themselves worried.
These are some of the data that emerged from the research “Italians and fish consumption. Resistances, obstacles and opportunities to facilitate the choice of fresh Italian fish products”, promoted byUGL Agri-food and created by the Lab21.01 demoscopic institute, presented to the Senate of the Republic. The research was carried out taking two targets as a point of reference: the supply chain (catering, Ho.Re.Ca., large-scale retail trade, fishermen/breeders/producers of fish products, operators/professionals and opinion leaders in the sector) with 1,723 total contacts and 519 valid and complete interviews and adult Italian consumers with 3,642 total contacts and 1,032 valid and complete interviews.
The impact of the emergency is strong”crab blue” both on the consumer target and on the supply chain target even if the level of information on the topic appears very different: 42.8% of consumers compared to 88% of professionals consider themselves informed. However, the podium was unanimous on who should do more to deal with this emergency: both consumers and professionals identify the Government and national institutions (53.6% consumers; 53.8% supply chain), local institutions (49.8% consumers; 56.1% supply chain) and the mass media (37 .5% consumers; 39.6% supply chain) the actors who could have the greatest impact.
What are the possible actions to combat and stem the “blue crab” emergency? 45.8% declare that the best solution would be to “find and strengthen the supply chain distribution And Retail for food use”, in second position “Inform, by communicating and literate, final consumers to encourage the purchase and food consumption of blue crab” (40.4%), and in third position (37.8%) to propose it more to the final consumer in points of sale. Different ones strategies from the “production chain” who put “obtaining greater incentives from the State” first (46.7%); in second place “making agreements at a national and local level that protect all the players in the Italian seafood supply chain” with 43.7% and in third place “fishing and strengthening the distribution and retail supply chain for food use” with 40 ,2%.
Only 2 out of 10 consumers remember one communication/advertising campaign on the topic of fishing (a figure which has however grown by more than 10 percentage points compared to 2022) while among professionals the value rises to 63.1%. Judgments relating to the communication of the data are still distant products fish: despite both being convinced that we need to communicate more, 44.6% of consumers believe that the communication received is partially or completely sufficient while for sector experts the figure reaches 17.5%. Between sources of information most reliable, both targets analyzed put institutional sites first (93.9% consumers; 90.1% supply chain), followed by sector magazines (89.6% consumers; 80.3% supply chain). They still agree on the quality of the news received: difficult to understand (71.8% consumers; 83.4% supply chain); superficial (63.4% consumers; 94.9% supply chain); alarmist (50.9% consumers; 36.7% supply chain). Only one in ten consumers considers the news received to be clear and 2 in 10 to be reassuring.
The opinion of the sample of interviewees also settles on similar values with respect to the information relating to the origin of the products fish: over 80% of final consumers and stakeholders in the fishing sector believe the information is not simple or understandable.
For Claudio Durigon, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies: “Fishermen are a very important component for our economy. The Government is putting a great deal of effort into protecting sustainable fishing, to provide effective responses to fishermen, address the numerous current critical issues and relaunch the entire supply chain”.
Second Francis Battistoni, Vice President of the Environment, Territory and Public Works Commission of the Chamber: “In terms of sustainability, as clearly emerges from the analysis carried out by Lab21.01, citizens are increasingly attentive to what is consumed, the origin of the catch and the fishing methods . While on the one hand this sentiment linked to sustainability is alive, on the other it emerges that only 2 consumers out of 10 remember a communication campaign on the topic of fishing. This data illustrates the need to continue to raise citizens’ awareness of correct lifestyles and how and what to consume responsibly. All actions that the Government is carrying out with commitment and absolute dedication for the good of the country, workers, businesses and citizens”.
For the General Secretary of the UGL, Paul Capone: “The fish supply chain is one of the most important considering that our country has a great tradition. We are an excellence in fishing and fish farming. However, there are numerous critical issues that need to be addressed, starting from the reduction in the fleet and the impact of large-scale distribution, which tends to favor products from abroad. Effective communication is therefore necessary to encourage the rediscovery of our fish which must be safeguarded. Furthermore, it is a priority to recognize the level of wear and tear that characterizes the fisherman’s profession, strengthening the social and economic protection of workers”.
Paul Marzio, Captain of the Vessel, Head of the Maritime Fishing Department, underlined that: “We are and feel like custodians, together with the fishermen, of those traditions and cultures of the sea. Today, fishing is experiencing a serious crisis which is the biggest one, that is, a generational change crisis that needs to be addressed. From here, communication is important, which has a decisive role because knowledge and memory must be transmitted.”
Second Francesca Blond, General Director of Federpesca: “This research shines an important spotlight on the value that this sector expresses for the country and on the critical issues it is facing, starting with expensive diesel fuel. Being a fisherman is a profession that is carried out not only by tradition but also by starting capital that a young person does not possess today. This sector risks no longer being attractive to young people. The research aims to describe the fishing sector in a more understandable way and pushes us to reflect on the topic of sustainability which cannot only be environmental but also ethical and economic”.
For Paul Mattei, UGL Agri-Food National Secretary: “The research shows a contraction in fish products and a worrying increase in prices due to expensive diesel fuel. Today’s meeting wants to send a message that eco-sustainability is a compromise that must be accompanied by taking into account the economic and social impact on the supply chain. Another aspect concerns the numerous bureaucratic constraints, which must be eliminated to relaunch the sector”.
Carla Ciocci, National Secretary of UGL Fisheries, stated that: “Fishing is one of the most important sectors for us. The problem, therefore, is to protect it adequately. It is essential to try to understand how to stimulate consumers to request local fish, which is a guarantee of sustainability and healthiness, involving all the actors, including those involved in marketing. From this perspective, the role of communication in supporting sector operators and consumers is fundamental.”
Andrea Maria Antonini, Councilor for Economic Development, Industry, Crafts, Commerce, Fairs and Markets and Maritime Fishing of the Marche Region, declared that: “Fishing represents a fundamental segment for the Marche and as a Region it has, in this sense, an important tradition, which it is also reflected in terms of productivity. The results that emerge from this research tell us how consumers are paying attention and give us fundamental indications for understanding where users want to receive guarantees. It is necessary to develop correct training and adopt policies to support an essential supply chain for the local economy.”
Second Roberto Baldassari, Professor at Roma Tre University and General Director of Lab21.01: “Compared to last year there has been an increase in Italians’ awareness of the term ‘sustainable fishing’. Giving more information gives good and useful results, we need to educate and help people understand topics that are not very close to them. We need to spread awareness about the importance of the national fish product and the problems affecting the supply chain, starting with the blue crab”.
The MEP also participated in the event Anna Cinzia Bonfrisco.