The Municipality of Sirmione has started the removal of the historic wooden structures, known as “roste,” along the shores of Lake Garda, with particular attention to the Punta Grò area. These constructions, once used for eel fishing, have become obsolete after the practice was banned due to contamination by dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, as indicated by the Lombardy Region. The roste, in addition to being a remnant of a practice banned for over ten years, have been deemed potentially responsible for a fatal accident that occurred in August 2023, in which Francesco Zanetti, a thirty-two-year-old man, lost his life during an evening outing on a jet ski.
The removal of the roste, although motivated by safety and environmental protection reasons, has sparked controversy within the local community. These structures had become a photographic and tourist attraction, as well as serving as a habitat for various species of water birds. Some environmental associations are concerned about the impact of the removal on the local ecosystem, emphasizing that the abandoned nets pose a threat to aquatic fauna. Despite the protests, the Municipality’s decision aims to preserve the safety of boaters and the health of the lake, which are compromised by the deteriorating nets releasing microplastics into the water.
Italian Version
