Enhancing small-scale fisheries value chains in the Mediterranean and Black Sea

In the Mediterranean Basin, coastal areas appear very different in terms of history, culture, natural conditions, population density, settlements, economic structure and human resources within which specific interventions and adaptations are required, united, however, by the creation of new foundations for economic and social life. We can identify areas where there are part-time small-scale fisheries and the possibility of integration of income, marginal areas with difficult production conditions but with an interesting and undervalued natural and cultural heritage, and finally depopulated areas in decline and incapable of regeneration of the social fabric and the reorganization of production. Nevertheless, many steps have been carried out in fishery policies to preserve fish stocks and fishery industries but, despite this, most predictions suggest that the number of fishermen and women who can make a living from fishing alone is likely to continue to fall, due to both biological constraints and competition from external markets. For these reasons, it is important that, for a sustainable development of fisheries areas, strategies for the diversification of the fishermen economies be included and the multifunctionality of fishing activity be recognized. Given the fragility of the socio-economic contest and the fragmentation of the upstream and the imbalance of bargaining power between large marketing firms and downstream fisheries operators, the integration of economic operators dealing with fishery assumes a great importance. The horizontal, vertical and intersectorial coordination could support individual producers in the process of adaptation and promotion of fishery products and create condition of sustainable development through the mechanisms of coordination of supply chain, implementation of the quality system and labelling. Establishing environment for coordination in the supply chain and market through the strengthening role of regional Organization to sustain the multilevel dialogue in the Country, among Countries and international between EU and South-East Countries. This strategy will draw model of professional organization for the ownership of role of fishermen and decision to be taken al local level. A lot of information on various aspects of small-scale fisheries often escape or are difficult to obtain, or are dispersed among different institutions and organizations at the regional, provincial or local level. A better understanding of what is currently happening in the basin is fundamental for an efficient and coherent development policy in a multilevel governance and interregional coordination. In order to orient the above mentioned needs, facilities tools and network could be envisaged to acquire information and best practice, share policies on multifunctionality, diversification and supply chain coordination to assist decision makers in the finalization of strategies at the country level. Technological information system could help and assist the creation of dialogue among communities, institutions/administration and private stakeholder. In the Mediterranean Basin we can identify areas where there are part-time small-scale fisheries and the possibility of integration of income, marginal areas with difficult production conditions but with an interesting and undervalued natural and cultural heritage, and finally depopulated areas in decline and incapable of regeneration of the social improvement condition and the reorganization of production. Identification of needs and the existing territorial potentialities for Mediterranean and Black Sea could orient policies for an implementation education and scientific programs. Lines and actions foresee in the frame of fisheries multifuncionality functions that could sustain the social and economic environment will empower fisheries coastal communities. Professional and academic training on socio-economic sustainable actions should be envisaged and targeted on the territorial potentialities. Thus, small-scale fisheries may represent a key node for the creation of added value in coastal areas and, as seen, the same fishermen can take advantage of a larger share of this value chain through diversification, transformation, direct sale, and cooperation between the Mediterranean coasts.