Until the revolution of 2011 Libya was the fifth word supplier of Italy, while Italy was the first exporting country in Libya

'Mediterranean Bridge': The First Libyan-Italian Fishery Joint Venture Boosts Exports to Europe and Sustainable Development

ITALY
Monday, October 06, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The project, with the support of Italy and the Libyan Government of National Unity, will invest in a processing plant in Misrata, technology transfer, and the creation of high-value derivatives from marine by-products.

Libya and Italy have launched a pioneering initiative to revitalize and modernize the Libyan fishing sector, aiming to export high-quality seafood to European markets. The Italian agency "Nova" interviewed Nicholas Giacalone, director of the "Medina" company and owner of the Rosso di Mazara brand, about the launch of the first fishery partnership with Libya. This ambitious project has received support from Italian institutions, the Italian Embassy in Tripoli, and the necessary operational permits from the Libyan Government of National Unity (GUN).

The new joint venture, named "Mediterranean Bridge Company" (Jisr Almutawasit Company in Arabic), is a collaboration between the Italian "Medina" and the Libyan "Libyan Shrimp Fishing" (Al Robyan Fishing Company). It will operate out of the Misrata Free Zone, located 210 kilometers east of Tripoli, focusing not only on the export of Libyan fish products but also on the transfer of skills and technologies to develop the local sector.

Innovation and Sustainability at the Heart of the Project

A modern facility for processing and packaging fish will be established in the Misrata Free Zone, incorporating advanced digital technologies to ensure quality and efficiency. The project includes training programs for young fishermen in Libyan vocational schools, with practical training hours at sea to enhance their skills.

The goal is to create local added value by launching the joint regional brand "MarsaBlu". This brand will be adopted by Libyan operators in the sector, guaranteeing sustainability, food safety, and quality standards compatible with European Union requirements.

The initial phase of the project involves a comprehensive study of existing fish resources. A trawl net survey method will be used, specifically designed with digital systems to raise the net to a height of at least 2.5 meters from the seabed, preventing the capture of turtles and other protected species. This study will be conducted in a body of water stretching from Sirte to west of Tripoli. Initial estimates indicate a significant presence of anchovies, mackerel, and amberjack. Additionally, the "cianciolo" (purse seine) fishing system will be used for surface pelagic species such as sardines.

Investment in a Circular and High-Value Supply Chain

The investment focuses on developing a sustainable and high-value seafood supply chain. The processing of red shrimp will be enhanced, extracting chitin from its shells. This material, chitin, will be transformed into chitosan derivatives, which have biomedical applications (hydrogels, bandages) and industrial uses (packaging materials and antimicrobial films).

Furthermore, the new company plans industrial processes for extracting hyaluronic acid from tuna eyes, a valuable molecule with applications in the cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries (creams, fillers, joint treatments).

Image: courtesy 'Effect of Post-ultrasonication-Assisted Treatment on Biocalcium Extraction from Tuna Eye Scleral Cartilage' by Bambang Riyanto, Aulia Rizqtha Maghfira Setiawan, Wini Trilaksani & Wahyu Ramadhan

Challenges and Geopolitical Context

While this initiative represents a milestone, the potential of Libya's fishing sector is still hampered by significant challenges. According to the FAO, Libya possesses largely unexplored reserves, but the lack of adequate infrastructure and an efficient traceability system limits their full exploitation. Moreover, low fish consumption in the Libyan diet favors an export orientation. Previous attempts to develop an export market during the Gaddafi era failed due to logistical and infrastructural limitations.

Improving quality and food safety standards compatible with EU requirements is also a key objective of other cooperation initiatives, such as the inauguration in mid-September of a new port facility in Zliten, linked to the fishing industry, with the participation of Italian companies and Libyan authorities, within the framework of the European Rebuild project.

However, the shortcomings of the Libyan fishing sector are not the only obstacle to greater cooperation. Disputes over maritime demarcation in the Mediterranean could also play a role in the success of agreements. Recent tensions include the arrest of 18 Italian fishermen in 2020 by Khalifa Haftar's forces and the attack on the fishing vessels Aliseo and Artemide in 2021 by the Libyan Coast Guard. Added to this is a geopolitical context in the Mediterranean marked by maritime sovereignty disputes involving Greece, Turkey, and Egypt. This complex landscape underscores the importance of stability and regional cooperation for the long-term success of projects like the "Mediterranean Bridge Company".

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