Review of regulations and monitoring of Italian marine aquaculture

Abstract

Summary Italian aquaculture has peaked at a production of 245 000 t in 1998, mainly due to mussel and clam production. In the case of finfish production, although freshwater fish production is stable, euryhaline fish production is constantly growing, reaching more than 14 000 t in 1998. With regard to the legal framework which regulates aquaculture activity and protects the environment, Law no. 152, which implements ECC Directive 91/271 and ECC Directive 91/676, was promulgated in 1999. This law replaces Law no. 319 of 1976, Law no. 130 of 1992, Law no. 131 of 1992 and other related laws. The final objective to be achieved by these laws, is to be able to describe each water body with ‘good’ water quality status by the end of 2016, but by the end of 2008 each single water body should be rated as having ‘sufficient’ status. There is no legislation regarding food control in Italy. With regard to the use of veterinary chemicals and authorizations for the registration of new drugs, Legislative Act no. 119 of 1992, implementing ECC Directive 81/852, ECC Directive 87/20 and ECC Directive 90/676, Legislative Act no. 66 of 1993, Legislative Act no. 110 of 1995 and Legislative Act no. 47 of 1997 were promulgated in order to control the use of drugs in reared animals, with the primary aim being protection of the health of human consumers.