A representative of Alghero's small-scale fisheries met with Undersecretary of Fisheries, Patrizio Giacomo La Pietra, to address the sector's key challenges. The meeting, organized thanks to the initiative of Senator Antonella Zedda and the Brothers of Italy Alghero party, was attended by council group leader Alessandro Cocco and former mayor Mario Conoci. The fishermen outlined their daily challenges and put forward several proposals. La Pietra presented the government's measures, including €80 million to address fuel costs through a 20% tax credit and the Iran ban, and €10 million in zero-interest loans from the Cambiale Azzurra (Blue Bill). The issues of scrapping old vessels, social safety nets, and bluefin tuna quotas were also addressed.
"Fishing is part of Alghero's identity, and fishermen must participate in decisions about the sea," Cocco emphasized, highlighting the possibility of including professional fishing representatives in the Reserve Commissions of Marine Protected Areas. Conoci instead emphasized the protection of traditional spear fishing and the fight against trawling within three miles of the coast and in waters less than 50 meters deep. "The Region should also use European funds to build deterrents to protect small-scale fishing." Finally, the city coordinator of the Brothers of Italy party, Pino Cardi, called for greater information on tenders and grants, including through the Port Authorities, announcing further meetings with operators to explore the issues that have emerged.
