Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume – Oral presentations
Topic 3: INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
cultural heritage, in order to document old fishing traditions and to apply a sustainable
development of Sicilian small-scale fishery, in accordance with the purposes of the
integrated coastal zone management (ICZM).
Materials and methods –The province of Syracuse in the south-eastern Sicily was
chosen as the pilot area for the historic, ethno-anthropological and cultural revival of
fishing and for the upgrading of sea produce. The choice of the province of Syracuse
was linked to its historical importance, centred particularly on fishery and on the
survival of a traditional body of related techniques rooted in the territory. Syracuse,
Marzamemi and Portopalo of Capo Passero fisheries were then considered in the
survey on cultural issues and fishing traditions.
Data were collected during 2006-2008 by several investigation on Sicilian fisheries in
order to acquire information on small-scale fishery. Equipment and using methods of
traditional fishing gear as well as their main target species were recorded.
Historical information on ancestral fishing activities were collected by iconographic
images and ancient texts in order to link past and present history of Sicilian fishery. A
census has been made of the architectural and archeological patrimony of the fishing
areas as well as fishermen’s villages and ancient tonnare. Finally, a film on all
documents and information was realized.
Results – Since the Palaeolithic age, in the south-eastern Sicily fishery has represented
one of the primary activities of man as witnessed by the numerous exhibits from the
Corrugi Cave, some of which are housed in the Museum of Syracuse. In the upper
Palaeolithic age fishing consisted mainly in gathering marine organisms, mainly
molluscs and crustaceans, on the beaches, on the coastal rocks and in shallow waters,
while fish remains in the geological deposits were rarely found. During transition from
the Mesolithic age to the Neolithic one, the practice of fishing activities by hooks and
harpoons was documented. Fishery gradually reached a role of great importance in
Eastern Sicily, both economically and culturally, so much so that in the IV century BC
Archestrato of Gela in the Hadypatheia (a gastronomic tretease) dedicates ample space
to fish with appreciation for Syracusan culinary skill. Interest in the sea and fishery in
Greek Syracuse is well represented in the iconography on coins, vases and drawings.
Preservation and transformation of fishing products take on a role of extreme
importance especially after the Roman conquest with the production of tharicos e
salsamentum (salted fish) and garum muria (obtained from moray eel and sturgeon) in
Syracuse and aematium (obtained from tuna) around Pachino. To this era belong the
first installations of tonnare in eastern Sicily; from a description by Oppiano, we
deduce that the techniques and practices of tuna fishing have remained unchanged until
last century. From this time on, this type of fishing takes on a prominent role in the
economy of Sicily. The relevance of tuna fishing to the economy of Sicily has
determined, starting from the XVII century, the transfer to the local nobility of almost
the entire property of the tonnare.
Otherwise, small scale fishery enriched the food-producing tradition of the area,
evolving several gastronomic customs, centred not just on tuna but on many other sea
species and subtly blending the sea flavours with those of land. These traditions
remained rooted in the culture of this territory.
41 st S.I.B.M. CONGRESS Rapallo (GE), 7-11 June 2010
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