Etude économique de la production et de la commercialisation des moules en Italie

Limitations and assets of shellfish farming in Italy are presented in Figures 6.1 and 6.2. In the case of oysters, which are only wild-caught and not cultured, the perspectives of this activity are tightly linked to problems in stock and fleet management. The current research and development institutions do not seem to favour the emergence of aquaculture in the near future. Mussel farming is done on a small-scale and its prospects for development are modest. While the demand creates favourable conditions for its development, mussel farming is confronted with a lack of available sites suitable for traditional techniques, problems in environmental quality and problems in product quality. Moreover, the study of the Italian market shows that competition from foreign products is high and is expected to continue.