At present, the Italian fisheries and aquacultural sectors are characterized by economic weakness,
increased costs and a reduction of natural resources that, mainly in fisheries, decreases profitability
and employment. This situation clashes with the expectations of some areas, such as the “fish area” of
the Friuli Region, which has a strong seafaring tradition. This project aims to promote the structuring
of Grado and Marano lagoon enterprises into a district model, based on versatility and strictly
connected with the natural productivity of the environment. This model gathers great strength from the
strict (formal and informal) relationships in the area between enterprises and (public and/or private)
local institutions, facilitated by their closeness and shared context. This form of co-management could
be suitable for responding to market needs and transferring research and innovation to the local
context. The study described assesses the main characteristics of establishing a fisheries and
aquacultural district in the Friuli lagoon and explores opportunities for improving strategic and
participatory approaches to planning – in two words: cooperation and competition.
