Garda Sardine Fishing Regulations and Conservation Efforts
Highly anticipated by fishermen, once again this year on Garda, the sardine fishing season has begun. During this period, thousands of anglers, armed with rods, attempt to catch the agone, commonly known by its dialectal name sarda, during evening hours from the shore or from boats.
Sardine Fishing Regulations
The sardine fishing is regulated by regional regulation number 2 of 1999, supplemented by the decree of the provincial administration 53 of 2000, whose principles have also been fully adopted by the fishing regulation recently approved by the Provincia di Brescia. In the province of Trento, however, there exists a slightly different regulation of sardine fishing.
Recreational fishing for this species is prohibited from 12 noon today to 12 noon on June 10, and from 12 noon on July 1 to 12 noon on July 6. Additionally, from June 1 to July 31, fishing is prohibited from 12 noon on Monday to 12 noon on Tuesday, and from 12 noon on Wednesday to 12 noon on Thursday.
Fishing is permitted with a maximum of three rods and a total of six hooks: the daily maximum quantity per fisherman is five kilograms, equivalent to about 50 specimens. Fishing is allowed until one hour after sunset.
Norms for Professional Fishing
Professional fishing, in addition to the restrictions from today to June 10 and from July 1 to July 6, is prohibited from 12 noon on Wednesday to 12 noon on Thursday (Wednesday evening) and from 12 noon on Saturday to 12 noon on Sunday (Saturday evening) between June 1 and July 31.
During this period, from 12 noon on Thursday to 12 noon on Saturday, and from 12 noon on Sunday to 12 noon on Monday, sardine nets must be set no earlier than two hours before sunset and recovered no later than nine in the morning of the following day.
“In practice,” comments Camillo Pilati, the councilor for Wildlife Protection Services, “nothing has changed compared to last year, when this sardine fishing regulation was applied for the first time. It may seem complex, but it is actually essential to safeguard the species from overfishing.”
Opinions on the Regulation
The adopted regulation has proven effective in reducing the conflicts previously existing between recreational and professional fishermen.
“The goal of reducing tensions between the two categories,” adds Pilati, “has been somewhat achieved, and I believe this is the right path to pursue. Having established a single regulation across the three provinces (except for minor differences with the Province of Trento) has laid the groundwork for more rational management of the fishery resource and fishing activities closer to the users: the fact that this year nothing has changed compared to last year indicates the validity of the new regulation, and it is encouraging to think that future modifications and additions will be minor and accessible to all fishermen; this was a factor that was often overlooked in the past.”