Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001559/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Cristina Guarda (Verts/ALE)
Every year, dozens of tonnes of juvenile pilchards (Sardina pilchardus) are caught illegally along the southern Italian coast. According to the numerous reports (backed by copious evidence) that were sent to the authorities in 2023,2024 and 2025 by Gruppo Adorno (an NGO), undersized pilchards – the sale of which is illegal – can even be found in certain markets. These complaints have fallen on deaf ears, as the sale of juvenile pilchards continues unabated, the situation not having changed at all since the Commission replied to an earlier question for written answer on this topic (E-000814/2024).
Since the adoption of a 2016 law decriminalising the holding, landing, transhipment, transport and marketing of undersized fish species, Italian law enforcement agencies no longer confiscate the vessels and means of transport used in these activities during sting operations, and the latter rarely threaten shipping anyway as they are predominantly carried out on dry land. In addition, because fish traffickers often farm out transport operations to indigent subcontractors, the fines levied for these offences are almost never paid.
In the light of the above:
- 1.Will the Commission contact the Italian authorities with a view to establishing how many seizures have been carried out since 2020?
- 2.Does the Commission hold that the sanctions provided for by Italian law are suitable for the purposes of safeguarding aquatic species and ensuring compliance with Regulation (EC) No 1224/2009?
Submitted: 16.4.2025