Copego (Consorzio Pescatori Goro), Italy Growing clams in tanks to evade the blue crab

Copego is one of the largest shell sh producers in the Goro area. Copego’s representative Milena Montovani explained that the company originally focused only on year-round clam production in the Po Delta. It eventually introduced seasonal mussel production, which spans from March to August, with a small variety harvested in September and October. e variety with a longer season are particular to the Saca di Goro region. Copego began oyster production three years ago, o ering two varieties: golden and black. e golden oyster is sweeter and more delicate than the black. While Copego is proud of their oyster and mussel production, Ms Montovani explained that clams remain their primary product; they produce 10,000 tonnes of clams annually, making them the biggest clam producer at the national level. Since their mussels are seasonal, they only produce 3,000 tonnes annually. In addition, they produce one tonne of oysters per year since they too are seasonal, and production started only 2-3 years ago. However, Copego is investing heavily in oyster production. ey utilize a unique system: when the oysters are very small they rest in containers which hang in a shallow part of the sea, and when the oysters grow, they are moved to a larger container. Copego monitors the tide, making sure it strengthens the muscle of the oyster. To do this, they remove the oysters from the water for eight hours each day while the tide adjusts to the ideal position for the oysters’ development. Copego is building a new facility in response

Smart Packaging Solutions, The Netherlands Solid board packaging for sh products

Smart Packaging Solutions, a part of the VPK Group, produces solid board packaging. According to André Giët, Account Manager of the company, solid board is preferable to corrugated board (standard cardboard) for packaging and shipping sh for many reasons. Solid board does not absorb humidity or lose its strength in humid conditions. Smart Packaging Solutions’ product is extremely dense and compact because there is no air in it, making it heavy and strong. Solid board is not an insulator, so sh can be frozen inside the box, whereas with corrugated board, which is an insulator, this is not possible. e capacity to freeze sh within the box is crucial for shipping. Solid board is also used to export meat, poultry, and owers. eir solid board is sustainable as it is made of 97% recycled materials, and the product itself can be recycled, Mr Giët explains. In some instances, he adds, it is also being used instead of plastic. Additionally, transporting the boxes themselves is sustainable because they can be compacted for transport, tting 25,000 boxes in a shipping container. e company has three production plants, two in Belgium and one in the Netherlands, but they work with clients all over the world.

Mr Giët explained that with recent rises in energy prices, Smart Packaging Solutions’ labor and energy costs increased, and they struggled

Copego’s packaged clams are a popular product to signi cant increase in the blue crab population in the area which have been feeding on the young clams. e facility replicates the habitat of the delta and grows the clams in containers until they are large enough to be reintroduced to the delta. e vast majority of Copego’s sales are in Italy through Italy’s biggest supermarkets, but they also export to Spain.

Solid board sh packaging from Smart Packaging Solutions because of the extensive amount of energy and gas required for paper mills. As a result, the company had to raise the price of their solid board. Now, however, as the energy situation has improved production and product costs are returning to normal. Smart Packaging Solutions can now concentrate on expanding its operations and developing new products for the bene t of its customers— and to remain competitive. Although we have only a few competitors in Europe, competition is intense and we cannot a ord to be complacent, says Mr Giët.

Cromaris, Croatia

Be ing on organic sh

Cromaris is a leading producer and processor of sh in the Mediterranean Sea, focusing mainly on the production of seabass, sea bream, meagre, greater amberjack, and dentex. e company is based in Croatia, but also has a presence in Italy with Cromaris Italia Srl which opened in 2013. Italy’s market for seabass and sea bream is the largest in the world, and Cromaris produces 8% of all seabass and sea bream sold in the Italian market. e sh is ISO certi ed, and in terms of sustainability, meets ASC, Global G.A.P. standards. In addition to their main sh production, Cromaris also o ers a line of organic sh known as Bio sh. According to Mr Furlan, Cromaris’s Bio sh are 20-30% more expensive

Mariscadoras, Rimini, Italy

than traditional sh and make up 10% of their production. e most important markets for Bio fresh sh are Germany, France, Switzerland, followed by Italy and Baltic countries, where the demand for organic sh is larger than in other countries, according to Mr Furlan. Also, extra EU countries like USA and Canada are importing Bio seabream (mainly) and seabass. Mr Furlan reported that their stock of sea bream is still recovering from changes during Covid times, but that seabass production is normal. e company saw a rise in Bio sh sales during Covid, which Mr. Furlan attributes to the common desire to be healthier, but now that consumers are less concerned by Covid coupled with the current economic problems many consumers