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Being a fisherman is not an easy job. Pit’s water, nature can be ruthless. But changing weather and extreme events are not the only dangers. In September, 18 fishermen from the Sicilian town of Madzara del Vallo set sail for the southern Mediterranean, where the waters are rich in prey. Libya claims zone, although it is considered one International. However, the Sicilians were arrested by the Libyan coast guard. The families have not heard from them since they were captured and are desperately asking To be saved. The story was not enough to dissuade others from navigating the spiers.aces monkey. See a report from “Focus Europa”, a project by Digi24 and Deutsche Welle. The program airs on Friday at 11:30 p.m. and resumes on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
A new fishing day has ended successfully, despite the risks. Box upon box is unloaded from the ship and carefully recorded. The men are happy with the catch. Especially for this delicacy.
“These are the famous red shrimp, there are no bigger ones!” Says Filippo Adamo, a fisherman.
Mediterranean shrimp are in high demand in upscale restaurants around the world.
“In the good times, we even made € 550 for a 12-kilo box of high-quality red prawn. That means 45 euros per kilogram, ”says Filippo Adamo.
For such a catch, the fishermen of Mazara del Vallo stay a few weeks at sea. Sometimes even two months. Everything carries great risks.
Libya wants sovereignty over international waters
The richest fishing areas in the southern Mediterranean are off the coast of Libya, in international waters, which Libya now claims as territorial waters. Then they appeared more and more incidents. In the summer of 2018, the Libyan navy wanted to detain an Italian fisherman and arrest him the gang. What chiar it happened in September of this year.
Libya confiscated Marco Marrone’s two fishing boats. The owner is desperate.
The 18 crew members have been in a Benghazi prison for three months. No Italian fisherman has been in this situation before.
“It’s terrible not having access to the fishing boats and not being able to see my employees. I feel like a father whose children have been taken away,” says owner Marcoa Marrone.
What does the captain say, that he managed to escape?
During that confrontation, the Libyan authorities pursued nine Italian ships at sea. Unlike some partner, Captain Giuseppe Giacalone has managed to escape.
The Libyans approached, they wanted to arrest the captains and confiscate the documents of the ships. The crews were told to follow him. We would runt, even if we risk committing suicide. The coast guard is armed. He could have shot us, “says Captain Giuseppe Giacalone.
In 2018, the fishermen received aid. Italy sent a helicopter to support the crews. So the Libyan coast guard was forced to withdraw.
High risk fishing
But now Italy no longer offers that protection in the southern Mediterranean, off the Libyan coast, telling fishermen that such operations are too complicated and politically sensitive. So fishing is done with great risks.
“We need protection to be able to fish in these international waters. Otherwise, what happened to my crew will happen again,” warns owner Marco Marrone.
The shipowner protested for two months before the Italian Parliament in Rome, demanding the release of his crew and fishing vessels.
“We run the risk of being arrested 74 nautical miles from the coast, because Libya claims international waters Right their own territory. Europe and Italy must act in this situation. This sea has no owner, it belongs to all of us ”, says Marco Marrone.
Family drama: we haven’t heard from him in months
Mohammed was in one of the two fishing boats. Today he is one of six Tunisians detained in a Benghazi prison. His family worries more and more. The man has been detained twice by Libya. But this time, the situation is much worse.
“The last time we got in touch with him, we knew of his fate. He always had the phone at his disposal. We haven’t heard from him in months. We have no idea what happened or if he is still alive,” said his daughter, Naoires Ben Haddada.
Whenever possible, Mohammed’s daughter, Naoires, meets in the port of Mazara with the families of other detained fishermen. Together with the owner Marco Marrone, they protest and at the same time cheer each other on.
“We fight for the 18 Italian fishermen, six of whom are Tunisians, two Senegalese and two Indonesians. Everyone has lived here in Mazara del Vallo for many years, some even before I was born, “says Marco Marrone.
Families have no other choice. Money tomake red shrimp should continue, for It is the only thing that makes the fishing industry profitable in Mazara del Vallo. Fishermen must return to international waters, including near Libya.
Editor: Luana Pavaluca
