Preprint volume - SIBM

Pre-print Volume – Oral presentations
Topic 3: INTEGRATED COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT
Nowadays, the abandonment of the tonnare and the shunning of small scale activities
by new generations determined a loss of precious ethno-anthropological aspects of the
sector.
However, some old activities still survive in the area. This is the case of the FADs
(Fish Aggregating Devises) fishery targeting the Coryphaena hippurus. Since ancient
times fishermen looked for floating wrack, exploiting the behaviour of this gregarious
species to gather in the shade of objects. The method consist to attract specimens near
anchored floating objects (FADS or “cannizzi”) and surround and catch them by a net
(Potoschi et al., 1999). Such practice is well documented in the 14th c. in Majorca, the
18th c. in Malta and the 19th c. in Sicily and now it is practised by a large fleet.
In spite of their abundance, C. hippurus together with other resources fished in the
area, such as Thunnus alalunga, seem under-considered by markets and consumers.
Conclusions – The research has drawn attention to the fact that in the eastern Sicily
there persist elements of a fishing tradition pertaining to its gastronomy, ethnomusicology
and anthropology as well as architectural vestiges, that could be recovered
and included in what the place has to offer regarding its tourist and cultural image.
Unfortunately, the social and economic marginalization of small scale fishing as well
as the oral transmission of traditions from father to son determined a loss of equipment,
fishing techniques, usages and customs. To revive today the fishing culture, before it is
irretrievably lost, must be a priority of great cultural value that can no longer be
postponed. The searching of new economic opportunities and the management of the
fishing activities, according to a sustainable development, upgrading for example
under-utilised and neglected species, can surely enhance the profile of the sector.
Finally, by means of the film production, old magic spells have been rediscovered
together with ancient tonnara shanties, historical documentations and iconographies,
recipes and gastronomic habits.
References
FARRUGGIO H., OLIVER P., BIAGI F. (1993) - An overview of the history, knowledge, recent and
future research trends in Mediterranean fisheries. Scientia Marina, 57 (2-3): 105-109.
POTOSCHI A., CANNIZZARO L., MILAZZO A., SCALISI M., BONO G. (1999) - Sicilian
dolphinfish (Coryphaena hippurus) fishery. Scientia Marina, 63 (3-4): 439-445.
41 st S.I.B.M. CONGRESS Rapallo (GE), 7-11 June 2010
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