(ANSA) - ANCONA - Still difficulties for the wild mussel of Portonovo, the typical mussel of the Conero area (Ancona), a Slow food presidium since 2004, which last summer was removed from restaurant menus due to the scarcity of the product.
This was signaled by the Slow Food Ancona and Conero conduct, recalling that according to the Disciplinary of the recognition of the presidium, it is necessary "to prevent a significant increase in production, otherwise the mussels will disappear in a short time".
Slow Food has followed the story of the mussels, involving operators from Portonovo, institutions and scientific institutes, trying to guarantee a balance between the quantity of fish caught and natural reproduction capacity.
But the garrison "has had much greater success than expected, on the one hand contributing to the growing notoriety of the mosciolo and Portonovo (by now known throughout Italy and beyond), on the other hand catching everyone a bit off guard. The request for moscioli has grown continuously and with it the production".
"Various indications, first of all the frequent scarcity of the product, make us believe the existence of risks for the future conservation of the mussel is probable - observes Slow Food -: certain forecasts are not possible, but the situation certainly requires great caution".
The Conduct invites everyone to "cautious" behavior. We point out in particular the fishing of clams which with the turbo blowers raise sand and mud which are then deposited on the rocks, damaging the growth and reproduction of the mosciolo, and we invite sport fishermen to avoid fishing methods such as to damage the mollusc banks and quantities of fish higher than those permitted; we also request that punctual checks be carried out by the responsible bodies".
The establishment of the Marine Protected Area, "