The fishing crisis in Lake Garda intensifies. The situation for professional fishing in Lake Garda is becoming increasingly critical, with an emergency that is being felt in 2024. According to Filippo Gavazzoni, vice president of the Garda Community, the decline in coregone stocks is particularly alarming: data shows a drastic decrease in catches, dropping from 56 tons in 2020 to just 12 tons recorded this year. This negative trend cannot be solely attributed to the ban on the introduction of new coregone lavarello specimens since 2021; it is also the result of overfishing and the species’ difficulties in reproducing naturally.
In addition to coregone, other typical species such as the agone have experienced a significant decline, with a reduction of over 50% in the last two years. Gavazzoni emphasizes that the causes of this crisis are multifaceted: from climate change to habitat destruction, as well as the spread of invasive species. The challenges facing fishing in the lake require immediate attention to safeguard the ecological balance and support the livelihoods of local fishermen.
