European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 11, 1987, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Hat a catch by f. King Cruger Mediterranean Bureau not too Many years ago in big and Small fishing ports All along Europe s coast he fishing Industry was vibrant. People took pleasure in strolling Busy piers watching Fisherman unload their catches and buying truly fresh fish for their tables. Those Days Ami opportunities have nearly vanished particularly in Central and Northern Europe. Fishing c.i11 Hes caused mostly by overfishing of stocks have dwindled. In the name of Economy and efficiency fishing boats have grown larger. Larger fishing boats mean fewer fishing boats. Fewer fishing boats mean fewer fishermen. Fewer boats need fewer ports. Many of today s larger boats stay out for Days weeks and even months at a time. There is a world Market for Frozen fish and fishing is a big Bucks business. Fish Are gutted filleted and Frozen aboard a lobster above disappears into a shopping bag. Fishermen at the pier in Pozzuoli right prepare their nets for the next catch. Factory ships that serve 1 it Els of tar ranging boats. Exclusive marketing arrangements operating in some countries mean that in fishing ports fishermen Are prohibited from Selling fresh fish to distributors in the same port. Instead All fish must be sold to a broker who trucks in several Hundred Miles to a Central marketing Point. There it is bought and shipped Back for resale of a greatly in led Pike to the fishing port where it was landed. Then1 it is sold As fresh fish in Southern Europe fresh fish still is available m Many ports although it is getting increasingly quire expensive. At to Coli a few Miles North of Naples several Hundred italian Fisherman make their living from the sea. Their boats Are crafted from Wood in a tiny boat Yard in a Corner of the old port the Pozzuoli fish Market is a casual open air affair. The Market is on the City s main pier from which Terry boats slide nil to the nearby resort islands of Princi and ischia. I he Market is open every Day except monday from r to . Until about noon. Sunday morning is the busiest and Best time to visit. The locals converge by he thousand in search of fresh seafood for in r if Vernonn meal the biggest and fanciest of the Veek. Neapolitan demand that fre sunday menu. They poke the fish e and make an Outing Oul of a Dors set up trestle tables on either Side of the Ion pier. Shy smells Are kept to a minimum acc. Is most of the offerings Are alive i tubs of Salt  r. The shellfish flawless mediate ram a oysters shiny Black mussels and Tongole the s Ccu Lent Small clams neapolitan s. Above anything else Iron he sea Are All alive. 1 fish for Safe Ruel looking Angler fish with Rayor Haggle Over or shopping Hor scores of it 70 stripes Magazine june 11, 1987