Aquaculture in Sicily: Ecological and Economic Aspects

Abstract

In Sicily, the main Italian island, both intensive and extensive systems of culture of euryhaline fish species have been developed. In Sicily in 1998, the production was 200 t, 20\% of the national produce. In order for aquaculture to be successful, activity must not cause unacceptable modifications in water quality or interfere with other uses, such as tourism or industry of coastal areas. The aspects are extensively evaluated in studies on impacts of fish farms along the coastal zones. In this chapter we wish to delineate structure and problems of aquaculture in Sicily, emphasizing developments, especially of offshore aquaculture and its socioeconomic role.