WWF Flags Weak Enforcement and Rising Illegal Fishing in Bergamo and Brescia

Illegal fishing activities have resurfaced in local reports, with recent videos showing the use of illegal nets, electrofishing, and out-of-season fishing along port and coastal areas. WWF Bergamo Brescia’s representative, Paolo Zanollo, criticized the lack of effective enforcement, citing weak controls by provincial guards and the failure of fishermen to report violations, often sharing footage on WhatsApp instead of formal complaints.

Zanollo called for more immediate intervention from law enforcement agencies such as the Carabinieri and Coast Guard, emphasizing their authority to conduct urgent seizures of illegal equipment and refer cases to provincial authorities. The WWF highlights that insufficient staffing and a weak sanction system contribute to the persistence of illegal fishing, prompting calls for increased vigilance and stricter enforcement.
Italian Version