Two freedivers, Daniele Bertoloni and Pierangelo Massardi, recently caught some young catfish in the waters of Sirmione, located on the southern shores of Lake Garda. This activity, which in the past would have drawn significant attention due to the rarity of the phenomenon, now reflects a reality where the presence of this fish has become commonplace, making any attempts at eradication unlikely. The two men observed that catfish tend to form schools and feed on other fish species, highlighting a significant impact on the lake’s ecosystem.
During the catch, the catfish weighed around ten kilograms each. The freedivers expressed hope that fishing expeditions will be organized to help control the proliferation of this invasive species, thereby contributing to the preservation of local biodiversity.