The Municipality of Sirmione has started the removal of fixed structures used for eel fishing, known as “roste,” along the Punta Grò coast. This decision was made following a fatal accident in 2023, when a 32-year-old man from Verona lost his life after crashing his jet ski into these installations. The Coast Guard had requested the Municipality to secure 27 points along the coast, which were considered dangerous for navigation and bathing. The “roste,” no longer used for eel fishing since 2011 due to a fishing ban, are now considered special waste and a source of pollution.
However, this operation has sparked controversy among environmental associations, particularly Lipu, which considers the poles of the “roste” important perches for migratory birds. The WWF has also expressed concerns, emphasizing the importance of removing abandoned fishing nets and other unauthorized structures without necessarily eliminating all the poles. Environmentalists propose alternative solutions such as prohibiting boats from entering the area with adequate signage to protect both the marine environment and the birds that inhabit it.
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