Analysis of small-scale fisheries value chain: An interview-based approach in Italian marine protected areas

Small-scale fisheries in Italy account for around 70% of the total fishing fleet, as well as nearly 30% and 55% of capture-fisheries revenues and employment, respectively. Yet, the sector is experiencing a deep crisis, mostly due to reduced catches and to the consequent decrease in revenues. At the same time, a lack of socio-economic data is hampering an effective resource management and the identification of adequate market solutions to improve fishers' livelihoods. To address the issue, a survey has been carried out on the value chain's structure and functioning of small-scale fishery fleets operating inside three marine protected areas in southern Italy. The assessment was performed following an interview-based approach through questionnaires administered to different categories of stakeholders. Results show that small-scale fishers receive the least economic benefits from their catches, while wholesalers and fish shops achieve the highest sale price thanks to their stronger bargaining power. Particularly, the highest mark-ups occur for those product shops that have little or no interest invested in them (i.e., those for which the fishers are paid less). Finally, this paper discusses a few potential market solutions to address the major threats to fisher livelihoods, such as direct sale or transformation of the catch. The latter option should especially be targeted to low value fish, which is often disregarded by shops, but which could generate higher incomes for fishers through the adoption of appropriate marketing strategies.