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Pietro, Sardinia; participant observation of food culture in Favignana (Sicily) and San Pietro

(Sardinia), 31 semi-structured interviews (see table 0.1 below for participant information and

appendix C for core questions), and data collection.

Sites

The two main research sites for Atlantic bluefin and the tonnare were San Pietro, a small

island off the southwestern coast of Sardinia, and Favignana, a small island off the west coast

of Sicily. Both islands have a long history fishing for and preserving (e.g. dried, cured,

tinned) bluefin tuna. Currently, there are three remaining tonnare in Italy, which are all

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surrounding San Pietro, and managed under one consortium . Italy is one of only four nations

in the Mediterranean (including Morocco, Portugal and Spain) with licensed tonnare, which

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also have bluefin quota . During the annual migration and fishing season (May to July) I

visited San Pietro to conduct ethnographic observation, participation and interviews. Based in

the main town, Carloforte, I spent most days at the tonnara headquarters at the northern tip of

the island (La Punta) or at sea on the nearby coastal tonnare. To gain insights about the tuna

and sustainability issues that matter, I interviewed tuna fishermen (tonnarotti),

owner/manager, the captain (rais), a representative of the Fuentes group, two shop owners,

two restaurateurs and local community members. I observed activities and interactions among

fishermen, fish, owners, traders, scientists, coast guards, tourists and media, while at sea and

on land. In order to analyse the local trade I visited most sites where tuna was sold, such as

supermarkets, fish shops, tourist shops and restaurants. I learned about the tonnara system

and the recent socio-technical transformations, which involved the replacement of local

harvest through the customary la mattanza (the slaughter) with a new process using sea cages

that transport tuna live to Maltese fattening ranches. To further understand the cultural and

economic significance of the tonnara I observed a variety of land-based activities, including

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