The fishery is managed in cooperation with CO.GE.VO (Consortium for the Management and Protection of Fishing for Bivalve Molluscs) and operates in the Adriatic Sea. The fishery has been certified as sustainable and well managed following an assessment by independent certifier DNV-GL.
This artisanal fishery takes place in the Maritime Districts of Venezia and Chioggia, and all the associated vessels targeting clams are part of the certification. Boats operate 4 days a week and respecting a daily maximum fixed limit catch of 400 Kg. per vessel. Mandatory fishing closure for the area is 2 months per year, but the fishery stops activity for 5 months per year. Vessels range between 11m and 15m length with an average of 2.5 people on board.
About striped clams
The striped clam (Chamelea gallina) lives in the sandy bottom of the central-northern Adriatic between 3 and 12 metres depth. Rich in omega 3 fatty acids, B vitamins, iron and proteins, clams are an extremely popular seafood in Italy and a main ingredient in traditional recipes such as the famous Pasta con le Vongole.History and status of the fishery
Direct catches of clams in the Northern Adriatic Sea started about 60 years ago. Today the fishery operates mainly uses hydraulic dredges. The total average annual catch of the certified fishery is around 4,600 tons (2016-2017), 26% of national production. 95% catch is consumed fresh and within Italy. 5% is frozen.The fishery has been positively scored against the MSC Fisheries Standard after an analysis of the status of the stock, minimisation enviromental impacts, and the specific management used to regulate these elements. The certification does not imply that all fisheries using hydraulic dredges are well managed and could achieve MSC certification.
Dredges operate on 35% of the whole distribution of the striped clams, and a rotation plan is systematically implemented to allow the full recovery of the exploited areas. In addition, important activities are carried out periodically to move natural benches in order to reseed the product in less productive areas. Subsequently, the same sea areas are closed to fishing, creating nurseries where stocks can build up.
In cooperation with Agriteco Research Institute, regular scientific monitoring is carried out on both fishing areas and nearby zones to ensure the fishery operates in line with management objectives.
Real time control of all the fishing vessels is also active in order to verify conformity with the management plan.
Responses and future improvements
Gianni Stival, the President at O.P. Bivalvia Veneto, says: "Being the first fishery to be certified in all the Mediterranean area is an extremely valuable acknowledgment, which we share with the 111 boat owners forming the cooperative, and of course their families, who are all involved in this artisanal activity.We are extremely proud of this achievement, which will mean putting further effort and continuous commitment in our daily activities. O.P. Bivalvia Veneto, together with CO.GE.VO. Venezia and CO.GE.VO. Chioggia – which is guided by President Boscolo Michele Marchi, is strongly committed and will be continue to minimize environmental impacts as much as possible."
Francesca Oppia, MSC Program Manager for Italy, says: "We welcome this certification with great enthusiasm. It is extremely important to point out that this certification is just a starting point for the fishery, which will have to prove year after year that it can meet all the criteria to keep the certification and bring continuous improvements to guarantee the sustainability of its activity.
While the stock is regularly monitored and a harvest strategy is put in place to ensure sustainable management, the independent assessment has defined some “conditions” (improvement areas), which the fishery needs to close within 4 years to keep the certification. We hope that this certification will be a forerunner for more fisheries. The Mediterranean region, where 90% of the stocks assessed are overfished, really needs a strong commitment to sustainability."
The "conditions" set by the independent certifier aim to ensure sustainable management of the fishery long-term. The fishery has been requested to prove, with scientific evidence, that their management strategy will allow the clam stock to be managed at a level equal to or above the Maximum Sustainable Yield (MSY).
Furthermore, strict and regular scientific monitoring of all catch (amount by season, spatial distribution and impacts) is put in place as to monitor and minimise the fishery's impact on other, non-target, species.