Between Riva and Limone, along the border between Trentino and Brescia, lies the Val di Gola nature reserve. Established in 2010, this protected area spans 2 hectares and is dedicated to the conservation of birdlife, flora, and fish species in Lake Garda.
Recently, the mayor of Riva, Cristina Santi, issued an ordinance that prohibits access to the beach in this protected area until 2024. The ban applies to both pedestrians and swimmers and carries administrative fines ranging from 50 to 300 euros for violators.
The main reason behind this decision is the protection of the bleak, also known as the whitefish in the lake. This fish species has been in a steep decline since the 1990s and is no longer allowed to be caught. Fishing for bleak is prohibited by the three regions surrounding the lake until June 30, 2026.
The near disappearance of bleak in Lake Garda has been rapid: from an average of about 1,300 quintals caught in the 1980s, it dropped to only 22 quintals in 2001 and 3.5 quintals in 2003.
The main causes of this decline can be attributed to environmental alterations in the breeding areas, competition with other fish species introduced by humans, and disturbance caused by waterfowl such as the mallard and the swan.
To try to safeguard the bleak, the “Alborella Project” was initiated in Riva del Garda. This project, coordinated by the Union of Sport Fishermen of Garda, involves the use of submerged gravel-filled crates to attract the remaining bleak in the lake. These crates are placed in strategic locations, and once used by the fish, they are transported to safe areas like Val di Gola to allow the hatching of eggs away from predators and swimmers.
