Regenerative economy and local system: insights from the Chioggia fisheries sector

Climate change and associated phenomena are placing increasing pressure on local systems, making a transition to sustainable models capable of valorizing existing resources, starting with waste, increasingly necessary. In this context, the Chioggia fisheries system represents a particularly significant case study. In light of this, the research aims to understand why, in a highly concentrated fishing district like Chioggia, the valorization of fish by-products does not occur at the local level, despite the existence of theoretically applicable regenerative models, such as the one developed in Liguria. To achieve this objective, qualitative research was conducted, based on semi-structured interviews with industry experts and participation in institutional events. The collected data was analyzed using thematic analysis, which allowed us to identify and interpret the main factors hindering the development of local supply chains for the valorization of fish by-products, highlighting the role of organizational, economic, infrastructural, and governance dynamics in limiting the transition to a regenerative production model