Adriatic fishing ban affects Puglia fleet until September 29

A fishing ban is in effect along the Adriatic coast from San Benedetto del Tronto to Bari, lasting from August 16 until September 29. The measure prohibits activities involving divergent trawling nets, rapid skimming, and twin divergent nets.

The ban significantly impacts the Puglia region, which hosts over 2,000 vessels and approximately 1,300 fishing and aquaculture businesses. This sector represents an economic value of about 225 million euros in Puglia alone. Davide Di Pinto, head of Coldiretti Pesca Puglia, emphasized that while marine resource protection is necessary, regulations must balance environmental sustainability with economic viability to protect coastal communities.

Industry representatives noted that the sector is already facing pressures from high energy costs, climate change, and foreign competition. For the 2026 calendar, additional bans are planned for the Brindisi, San Cataldo, and Otranto compartments from October 1 to October 30. During the current period, Italian fish supplies will continue through small-scale fishing, hydraulic dredging, aquaculture, and fleets operating in non-restricted areas.