Protection of the whitefish in Lake Garda: ban in the Val Gola Reserve
A recent ordinance establishes a ban on access to the beach of the local Reserve of Val Gola, effective until October 30. This measure has been implemented to ensure the protection of the alborella, a fish belonging to the Cyprinidae family, whose population is in serious decline in the pre-Alpine lakes, including Lake Garda. The decrease in alborella, which is no longer subject to fishing, is attributed to various factors, including the destruction of breeding habitats and excessive human encroachment along the shores. The Reserve, created in 2010 over an area of approximately 20,000 square meters on the border with Lombardy, aims to preserve a natural environment for the reproduction of alborella and chub.
The ban is particularly necessary during the spring-summer period when tourist activities can disturb crucial phases of reproduction. To limit human impact on the already fragile remaining population, the ordinance stipulates administrative fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros for those who violate the ban. Furthermore, this year, a trial for the reintroduction of alborella into the Val Gola Reserve will be initiated, further underscoring the importance of protecting this vulnerable species.