Fishermen from the fishing port of Ghar El Melh, in the governorate of Bizerte, are calling on Tunisian authorities to intervene to limit the economic impacts linked to the restriction on exports of « red shrimp » set at 10%.
This alert comes after Italian customs authorities seized a large shipment of this Tunisian product. The merchandise was confiscated on the grounds that Tunisia had exceeded its export quotas for this type of crustacean, considered one of the most heavily harvested seafood products in the Mediterranean, according to Majdi Rahmouni, director general of an exporting company based at the port, in a statement given to IFM radio.
Industry professionals, however, dispute the relevance of this limitation. They believe that the authorized quota does not reflect the reality of national production, estimated at nearly 400 tonnes. They also denounce the lack of consultation with stakeholders, particularly fishermen and exporters, as well as the absence of an accurate and up-to-date assessment of Tunisian production.
Exporters are also expressing concern about the fate of the cargo seized in Italy, fearing its destruction. Such an outcome could lead to significant financial losses for the companies involved and directly impact employment and investment in the fishing industry.
Source : La Presse
