One-sided sustainability? The seasonal closure from August to September could jeopardize both shrimp stocks and the competitiveness of European fleets.
From August 7 to September 5, fishing vessels across GSA sub-areas 12 to 16 in Sicily are required to stop operations. This measure – rooted in the recommendations of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean (GFCM) and aligned with the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) – applies strictly to EU fleets, leaving a growing imbalance in its wake.
A ban that costs more than it saves
While the official goal is to protect key species such as red shrimp (Aristaeomorpha foliacea) and deep-water rose shrimp (Aristeus antennatus), the economic blow to local fishing communities – from Mazara del Vallo to Siracusa – could outweigh the intended environmental benefits. Industry players are concerned that, during the EU’s enforced pause, North African fleets, particularly Tunisian vessels, remain fully active in the same waters.
No reciprocity: a structural imbalance
With no fishing restrictions imposed on non-EU fleets, Mediterranean waters become an uneven playing field. The lack of a Euro-Mediterranean reciprocity agreement not only undermines the sustainability efforts of European operators but also increases pressure on shared marine resources during the closure period.
Adding insult to injury: a second ban in GSA16
The situation worsens in sub-area GSA16, where a regional measure imposes a second, month-long stop in September, excluding only ocean-fishing vessels. According to fishing associations, the cumulative impact of these bans could lead to a production drop of over 30% in 2025. And this comes on top of high fuel prices, frequent weather-related downtime, and ongoing labor shortages in the maritime sector.
A political push for a level playing field
Michele Catanzaro, leader of the Democratic Party group in the Sicilian Regional Assembly, has raised the alarm, involving MEP Giuseppe Lupo, who pledged to bring the issue to the European Parliament’s Fisheries Committee. The aim is to establish an EU-led initiative that would enforce shared seasonal closures across all fleets fishing in the Strait of Sicily.
Effective only if everyone plays by the rules
At the heart of the debate lies a clear reality: a sustainability measure only works in a multilateral context. While EU fleets reduce their fishing effort, others ramp up theirs. The result? Faster stock depletion and an increasing competitive disadvantage for EU-based operations.
Shared rules are the only way forward
While well-intentioned, Sicily’s fishing ban risks becoming ineffective and economically harmful unless it’s paired with a broader, multinational agreement. Without reciprocal obligations for non-EU fleets, the EU ends up enforcing rules that benefit no one in the long term.
Brussels must take action, setting balanced, enforceable and common rules that safeguard marine ecosystems and ensure the economic survival of Europe’s fishing industry.