Regional Act No. 9 of 2019 for the preservation of marine culture and identities and for the promotion of the economy of the sea. Discipline of Mediterranean fishing in Sicily.

This Act, consisting of 47 articles, implementing the provisions of article 14, par. 1, letter l) of the Sicilian Statute, concerns the support of the Region for Mediterranean fishing, for the modernisation and development of the fish sector and for the protection and safeguarding of fish production and the environment. In order to achieve these goals, the Region provides for: definition and protection of the identity and specificity of Mediterranean fisheries by combining economic, social, cultural and environmental sustainability; the modernisation and innovation of the activities of fish entrepreneurs by improving the exercise of their related activities: direct sales, environmental protection, fishing tourism, educational activities; enhancement of Sicilian fish products through information to consumers, the protection and transparency of the market; development of fishermen's markets, fish markets, ports and landing places; protection of the cultural traditions of the fishing world and their anthropological and pedagogical value; preservation of the cultural heritage of the fishing villages, of the tuna fisheries, of traditional fishing boats; support Mediterranean cross-border relations and cooperation through specific intervention measures for the assessment, creation and management of adequate protection areas, restocking of fish stocks and recovery of associated ecosystems; prevention of all forms of illegal fishing.
This Act covers the following matters: programming, management and cooperation tools for fishing activity; local management plans, including: the definition of development models for the modernisation of the local fishing sector, the sustainable use of fish resources, the type, methods of use and composition of the fishing gear, definition of the areas and periods in which fishing activities are prohibited or subject to restriction in order to protect fish reproduction, the maintenance of fish populations and fish biodiversity, the reduction of the impact of fishing activities on vulnerable marine ecosystems and non-target species, exclusive fishing rights, marine area covered by the plans, specific registers of cooperatives of artisanal fisheries; Sicilian commitment towards cross-border Mediterranean cooperation; coordination network of Sicilian seafaring municipalities, including professional education and training; register of identities of Mediterranean fishing and fishing villages, drawn up according to the indications of UNESCO; protection of traditional and historical fishing systems and of cultural fishing traditions, including the increase in tourism offer; direct sale and trade of fish products; wholesale fish markets and health surveillance and control over fish species by a veterinarian; professional fishing activity and its limitation within marine protected areas; proper nutrition education and enhancement of the biodiversity of the fish; fishing tourism related activities, including supply of food, processed food and beverages; educational activities related to fishery and the sea; definition and limits to recreational fishing, including use of defined fishing tools, ban on the sale of caught fish; sea urchin biological protection; various provisions including: special aquaculture fund; administrative fines.