Session 4, Room 9, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
Small pelagic fish market in the south of Sicily:
socioeconomic linkages between catch volume and local
consumption
Bernardo PATTI1, Carmen PEDROZA2, Ignazio PIAZZA1, Salvatore MAZZOLA1
1CNR-IAMC,
2UAER-UNAM,
Capo Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
s/n Esquina Felicitas del Río en Jiquilpan, Michoacán, Mexico
Presenter: Bernardo PATTI
bernardo.patti@cnr.it
CNR-IAMC, Capo Granitola, Campobello di Mazara (TP), Italy
RESEARCH OBJECTIVE:
To analyze the links between anchovy landings by
pelagic pair trawlers and their market price from data
collected in Sciacca harbor (Central Mediterranean Sea,
Strait of Sicily) throughout the period 1999-2013.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
INTRODUCTION

Along the southern Sicilian coast (Central
Mediterranean Sea), Sciacca harbor is the
most important landing site for small pelagic
fish species.
It accounts for about 2/3 of total catch
(mainly anchovies and sardines) in GFCMFAO Geographical Sub-Area 16 (South of
Sicily).

Two operational units (OUs) are presently
active: purse seiners (PS) and pelagic pair
trawlers (PT).

The GSA16 fleet is composed by about 50
units (17 purse seiners and 30 pelagic pair
trawlers; census data, December 2006).
About 10 PS e 16 PT are based in Sciacca
port.

For both OUs, anchovy represents the main
target species due to the higher market
price.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
G.S.A. 16
STUDY AREA
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
SCIACCA port
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Small pelagic fisheries
Commercial species:
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus)
Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Sardine (Sardina pilchardus)
Small pelagic fish
Covered with scales
Maximum length: 25 cm
Common length: 18 cm
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Anchovy (Engraulis encrasicolus)
Small pelagic fish
Maximum length: 20 cm
Common length: 13 cm
Average life: 4 years
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine
Characteristics

Overview:
Encircling fishing net.
In general purse seine is the most efficient gear to catch large
and small pelagic species that are shoaling.

Fishing Operation:
Searching

Checking and
evaluating
Set the net
around the
fish
Closing and
hauling
Target Species:
Aggregated pelagic species (schools) of all sizes from small sardines to the large tunas.

Impacts:
No impact on the bottom habitat (except in shallow waters when the gear wipes the sea bottom).
Main negative impact: bycatch of dolphins in certain fishing areas. Special techniques have been
developed to reduce it.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Pelagic pair trawl
Characteristics

Fishing Gear:
A midwater fishing net pulled through the water behind two boats.

Fishing Operations:
Search for
fish
(echosounder
and sonar)

Location, size
and
determination
Paying out the
net
Towing
Hauling
Transfer on
board
Impacts:
Almost mono -species fishery.
No impact on bottom habitat and bottom structure.
Discards higher than purse seine.
Bycatch rates are generally low.
Some incidental catch of dolphins or other marine mammals.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Small pelagic fishing:
Purse seine (with light attraction)

Anchovy fisheries is very old, it was
practiced as early as eighteenth century
with the so-called “Vacchi ri Sadda",
vessels with lateen sails.

Fishing for small pelagic fish with purse
seine is considered one of the most
sustainable systems, because it does not
affect the marine ecosystem and helps the
rebuiding of fish stocks thanks to
seasonality; fishing is practiced, in fact,
A fishing boat with purse seine system
from March to November.
leaving the harbor
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Small pelagic fishing:
Purse seine (with light attraction)
Small supporting
boats equipped
with F.A.D. (lights)
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine (with light attraction)
A fishing trip begins in the evening.
After identifying the fish, lamps are lowered into
the sea, so attracting the fish.
When fish aggregate below the lamps, the net is
lowered into the sea, forming a circle and
enclosing the fish into the net.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine (with light attraction)
Catch of small pelagic fish
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine (with light attraction)
Fish caught in the net are
put on board
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine (with light attraction)
Fish are then put in big
boxes with ice and water
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Purse seine (with light attraction)
Finally, fish are placed in
smaller boxes ready for sale
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Pelagic pair trawl:


Operated during daytime
on fish schools
In contrast with purse seine,
no seasonality
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Processing of anchovies:



Head removing
Salting
Filleting
Head removing
Salting
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“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
Filleting
IIFET 2014
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Fillets in glass jars
In spite that small pelagic fishes
are quite appreciated for direct
fresh consumption, landings are
always totally absorbed by local
transformation (canning)
companies’ high demand.
Olive oil filling
Local consumption of fresh fish is
low, because small pelagic fish are
considered relatively “poor” when
compared to the wide fish variety
in Sciacca market.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
D.O.P. Brand ("Protected Designation of
Origin“, PDO)
Product brand is going to be approved by the European Commission
D.O.P. means:



More controls
Higher quality
Consumer safety
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Market data

The Sciacca fish processing industry produces about 5,000 tons of
small pelagic fish each year

The annual business cycle is about € 30,000,000

More than 1,000 people work in the fish processing industry
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Line Plot (Spreadsheet0.sta 6v*178c)
28
90
26
80
24
22
70
20
60
18
16
50
14
40
12
10
30
8
20
6
4
10
2
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
Mar-2013
Mar-2012
Mar-2011
Mar-2010
Mar-2009
Mar-2008
Mar-2007
Mar-2006
Mar-2005
Mar-2004
Mar-2003
Mar-2002
0
Mar-2001
0
Mar-2000

This study analyzes the relationship between anchovy landings from
pelagic pair trawlers and their market price from daily catch/price data
collected in Sciacca harbor throughout the period March 1999 - December
2013. Data were obtained by on the dock interviews.
Average monthly values for both the time series were firstly evaluated to
the aims of the present study.
Mar-1999

Ave_catch_tons(L)
Price_euro(R)
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
MATERIALS AND METHODS

Both time series show a seasonal signal (more evident in the landings
series, most probably linked to the ecology of the species, which spawns
in coastal areas from March to September), and a significant trend,
increasing for landings and decreasing for prices.
Line Plot (Spreadsheet0.sta 6v*178c)
28
90
26
80
24
22
70
20
60
18
16
50
14
40
12
10
30
8
20
6
4
10
2

Mar-2013
Mar-2012
Mar-2011
Mar-2010
Mar-2009
Mar-2008
Mar-2007
Mar-2006
Mar-2005
Mar-2004
Mar-2003
Mar-2002
Mar-2001
Mar-2000
0
Mar-1999
0
Ave_catch_tons(L)
Price_euro(R)
Inflation adjustment was applied on the price time series (during the
considered period the rise in the inflation index was +38.4%).
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
RESULTS
In the two figures below a 12-month moving average is superimposed,
in order to emphasize the general evolution in the series and better
investigate on changes in the relationship between prices and landings
over time.
In particular, the moving average is able to remove seasonal signals
from both the series.
The two series appear to be generally anticorrelated, and an apparent 67 year long cycle in landings is also evidenced.

LANDINGS
MARKET PRICES
90
30
y = 0.0016x - 54.676
R² = 0.3567
25
20
80
y = -0.0065x + 285
R² = 0.6931
70
60
50
MM12
15
monthly catch
Lineare (MM12)
10
Price
40
MM12
Lineare (MM12)
30
20
5
10

set-13
set-12
mar-13
set-11
mar-12
set-10
mar-11
set-09
mar-10
set-08
mar-09
set-07
mar-08
set-06
mar-07
set-05
mar-06
set-04
mar-05
set-03
mar-04
set-02
mar-03
set-01
mar-02
set-00
mar-01
set-99
mar-00
mar-99
0
set-13
set-12
mar-13
set-11
mar-12
set-10
mar-11
set-09
mar-10
set-08
mar-09
set-07
mar-08
set-06
mar-07
set-05
mar-06
set-04
mar-05
set-03
mar-04
set-02
mar-03
set-01
mar-02
set-00
mar-01
set-99
mar-00
mar-99
0
As both the landings and the market prices exhibit a significant trend, in
order to investigate on their relationship the two series were detrended
before further analysis.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
RESULTS

The relationship between detrended landings and prices
evidenced the presence of elasticity for prices, most
marked during the Summer and the Autumn.
Scatterplot (Spreadsheet0.sta 8v*178c)
Season: winter Detrended_Ave_Price = -1.0558-0.4459*x
Season: spring Detrended_Ave_Price = -1.8027-0.4413*x
Season: summer Detrended_Ave_Price = -1.6099-0.8959*x
Season: autumn Detrended_Ave_Price = 2.5994-0.8606*x
50
40
30
20
10
0
Detrended_Ave_Price
-10
-20
-30
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
Season: winter
Season: spring
Season: summer
Season: autumn
Detrended_Ave_Catch
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014

The figure shows the relationship between
the 12-month moving averages of the two
time series (prices in vertical axis and landings
in horizontal axis). It is possible to note three
distinct “states” in the relationship.

The first state, in the lower left corner,
characterizes the first and the last years of the
time series (1999-2001 and 2012-2013,
respectively), when prices were relatively low.

Most of the points falls in the intermediate
level, characterizing most of the years from
2002 to 2011, with the only exception of years
2003-2004, when prices were relatively higher
in relation to landings.

The first transition from the lower state to the
intermediate state corresponds to the change
in currency from the Italian lira to Euro
(2002).

The sharp transition from the intermediate
state to the upper state appears to be a
further attempt, extended just for a couple of
years (from mid 2003 to mid 2005) to increase
profitability by increasing prices.

Finally, the last recent transition (in late 2011)
from the intermediate to the lower state
corresponds to the start of the negative effects
of the global crisis on the Italian economy.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Scatterplot (Spreadsheet1.sta 6v*166c)
15 “Intermediate”
years:
2002 and
2005-2011
“High”years:
2003-2004
10
5
0
Price-detrended-MM
“Low” years:
1999-2001 and
2012-2013
-5
-10
-8
-6
-4
-2
0
2
4
6
Year: 1999
Year: 2000
Year: 2001
Year: 2002
Year: 2003
Year: 2004
Year: 2005
Year: 2006
Year: 2007
Year: 2008
Year: 2009
Year: 2010
Year: 2011
Year: 2012
Year: 2013
Weight-detrended-MM
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
CONCLUSIONS

Sciacca fisheries represents a good example to understand
and interpret the dynamics of price elasticity in relation to
fish production and in response to economic situation and
trends.

The results of this study show, on one hand, the
importance of fish production levels in modulating market
prices.

Conversely, the potential relevance of the price lever in
modulating fish production demand is also evidenced.
This effect may be used to manage fish consumption, e.g.
to the aim of fostering the substitutions from unhealthy to
healthy food such as blue fish.
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014
Thank you for your
attention!
Session 4.7, Room Z306, ID 215
“Markets: Related Markets Analysis”
IIFET 2014
Brisbane, 7-11 July 2014