Lake Garda Fishing Regulation Sparks Disputes Among Stakeholders

Continuing controversy and discussions surround the new fishing regulation on Lake Garda. There are clearly too many dissatisfied parties.

Following criticisms from professionals (“Arena”, January 8) regarding the new rules governing fishing on Lake Garda, which were jointly enacted by the three provinces bordering it (Brescia, Verona, Trento), now it is the sports associations and recreational fishing groups that are raising their voices.

Responses from associations and requests

“There are many points that need revision,” explains Adelino Lombardi, vice president of the “Dirlindana Club” of Malcesine.

In this regard, we held a meeting to discuss with the associations of neighboring municipalities (Riva del Garda and Brenzone), and a document was produced in which we outline our reservations.

However, it seems this written document has been completely ignored.

At the end of January, the president of the Mountain Community, Antonio Pasotti, also intervened, reaffirming that the current regulation of the Veneto Region, which will be examined and integrated with those of the other two regions involved, is non-modifiable and can only be subject to minor adjustments.

Despite the pressures exerted, for now, sport fishing enthusiasts have been unable to change a single word of the much-criticized regulation.

Concerns about fish fauna

“What we complain about, beyond the times, which we believe are poorly scheduled, and too many concessions granted to professionals, is that the new regulations do not safeguard the fish fauna or the proliferation of valuable fish like the carpione; in fact, they contribute to their disappearance.

Secondly, before drafting regulations for the entire Lake Garda, studies and monitoring should be carried out to understand which species are endangered and need protection.

Not only has this not been done, but the rules concerning the placement of remains risk causing significant damage.

Upcoming meetings and requests

In the coming days, a meeting will be held in Toscolano Maderno to clarify all points of disagreement, with the participation of all Lake Garda sport fishing associations.

The S.P.S. Tirlindana Spinning Club, organizer of the meeting, has also invited the three provincial councilors interested in the subject to participate.

Furthermore, the Spinning Club had already sent a document to the Brescia Provincial Council and to the Provincial Assessor Alessandro Sala with several requests: including modifications to the fishing hours for professional anglers, a request to permit the catching of coregonus with the tirlindana trolling method, except during the carpione ban period, and changes to the ban periods.

Additional requests included banning the use of the volantino during the carpione closure period for professional fishermen and altering the number of nets authorized.

Among various proposals, some especially controversial: for instance, granting professional fishing licenses more selectively and following checks on the entire family unit, not just the individual applicant.

This aims to prevent licenses from being awarded to wealthy people already managing multiple commercial activities.

It was also suggested to raise the minimum age for obtaining a fishing license from the current 13 years to 16-18.

“Finally, Gianni Menoni, a representative of 197 fishermen from Toscolano, concludes the letter by proposing periodic trout stocking, also to attract more fishermen and boost tourism.

For now, no responses have come from the Provincial Council, but sport fishermen are more determined than ever and expect clarifications soon.