Evaluating the economic performance of fishing systems using fuzzy multicriteria analysis in a Fishery Local Action Group in South Italy

摘要

The EU programming cycle 2007-2013 marks the introduction of the concept of local development in fisheries policies. This new vision implies the need to develop sustainable development processes according to a place-based perspective. Knowledge, understood as a learning process, becomes the focal point of the territorial development process. The aim of this study is to bridge the cognitive gap at the local level about the socioeconomic aspects of the fisheries' sector, affecting the fleets involved in the definition of the Local Development Plan of the "Stretto" Coast Fishery Local Action Group (FLAG) in South Italy. The work aims to assess the economic performance of the fisheries' vessels operating in the FLAG area to deepen the knowledge about the costs and revenues of fishing activity that are critical variables for fishermen's choices. To this end, we carried out a budgetary analysis, from which seven performance indicators were derived. Moreover, a multicriteria analysis, performed through the Fuzzy VIKOR technique, allowed us to elaborate a composite indicator. The decision to operate in the fuzzy environment arises from the need to better manage the vagueness and imprecision of the data collected during the interviews. The framework is useful to both acquire and interpret in a synthetic manner the salient aspects needed to identify ideas and suggestions for the planning of development strategies, whose effectiveness is closely linked to the real conditions of the territory. The results show that the best economic performance was shown by vessels that adopt the surrounding as the main fishing system. However, at the local level, there is a general lack of interest shown by young people in undertaking fishing activities and carrying on the family business.