Reducing marine litter pollution from anchored fish aggregating devices: Sicilian good practices and the legislative paradox

To date, little information is available at the Mediterranean scale about the environmental impact of anchored fish aggregating devices (aFADs) such as abandoned, lost, or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG). These devices, mainly made of plastic, are used to concentrate high densities of some pelagic species during fishing activities, representing an important source of marine litter pollution. Based on the scientific literature and the regulatory framework on the Mediterranean dolphinfish FAD fishery, the aim of this work was to describe the Italian context of the FAD fishery and in particular to report a paradoxical situation. We describe the good practices adopted in Sicily for reducing and managing marine litter coming from fisheries using anchored FADs, while on the other hand we report how some of the Italian Ministry’s policies have made it impossible for fishermen to comply with the rules. This situation is seriously compromising the efforts made by local communities, with effects on the environment and/or local socio-economic context. These observations underline more than ever the importance of all fishery stakeholders and policy makers working synergistically to manage fishery activities in the best possible way, both from the environmental and socio-economic perspective. Otherwise, sustainable fisheries management will be compromised. The present research proposes new tools for improving management measures in the study area. In particular, work is already in progress to implement, for the first time in Europe, a new fully sustainable FAD. The experience could be transferred to other Mediterranean areas and improve other fishery sectors.