Garda Fishermen Cooperative Faces Challenges Amid New Regulations and Market Changes
The Cooperativa fra pescatori di Garda represents a productive force and a glimpse into the social life of the town. Founded in 1942, it once surpassed one hundred members, but today it counts only 23 professional fishermen, led by Mario Monese.
Alongside, inside the Pescheria on via Antiche Mura, is Vice President Enrico Monese, possibly a distant relative. “Fishermen are not in decline, quite the opposite. Many young people have approached this work out of passion and family tradition,” he says.
It’s a tough profession. “Our day involves laying nets in the water in the afternoon, from 3 pm to 6 pm. Then at night, around 2:30 or 3 am, we go back out to sea to start fishing, which ends around 9 am. It’s a job performed in all weather conditions.”
Fishing Problems and Regulations
The biggest danger does not come from the lake itself but from boats that speed through in summer, ignoring time restrictions,” explains Mario Monese, along with his colleague Enrico, listing the category’s problems: “Unfortunately, the new provincial fishing law partially damages us.
Take sardines, a species that alone makes up 40-50 percent of the annual fish production: during the spawning period, from May 25 to August 5, we are limited by 30 fewer days for catching. This is to give more space to amateur fishermen, who can now catch up to five kilos of sardines per day.
Under these conditions, it’s inevitable for the market to collapse. Our cooperative has collected nearly one hundred quintals less.” Conversely, the burbot remains resilient, representing one of the most caught species along with sardines.
Mario Monese continues: “With burbot, we are at standard levels. The Province has come to our aid by lifting fishing bans from June 30 to August 6. Regarding carpione, the most prized fish, yields have been poor for two years.
In September-October 1999, only two quintals were caught. Eels have nearly disappeared, partly due to a lack of breeding and partly because of disease. Perch production is increasing, while pike has decreased. The catch of alburno species is also down.” It’s a not particularly idyllic picture.
“Annual yields, like in agriculture, are not always the same. Other factors worry us, such as new fishing regulations,” intervenes Giorgio Baldassari, former president of the cooperative. “But not only that,” adds Enrico Monese, “for example, few consider how rising gasoline prices impact fish prices.
Each day we spend between 20,000 and 40,000 lire on diesel to go out to sea. Unlike colleagues working offshore, inland water fishermen like us cannot benefit from any concessions.” To diversify their offering, the Cooperativa fra pescatori di Garda (most of the lake’s fish goes to the Lombard fish market) will inaugurate a new headquarters in San Bernardo, in the former slaughterhouse, by December. This will complement the current lakeside location, where fish can still be purchased retail.
The Future Headquarters and Upcoming Changes
“This time, we are ready,” confirms Mario Monese. “In the new building, we will process the catch directly, with machine filleting, smoking, or vacuum packaging.”