Puglia faces high levels of marine violations and coastal illegalities

The Legambiente “Mare Monstrum 2026” report highlights significant environmental and legal issues along the Italian coastline, with Puglia ranking second nationally for marine crimes. The dossier, based on 2025 data from law enforcement and the Coast Guard, identifies thousands of violations, including illegal construction, occupation of state-owned maritime land, and waste management issues. In the Salento region, specifically within the provinces of Lecce and Brindisi, authorities have seized numerous unauthorized structures, such as illegal campsites, villas, and beach establishments.

Parallel to these legal violations, environmental monitoring by ARPA Puglia indicates a shift in biological conditions. Recent data from late August shows a notable decrease in the concentration of the toxic algae Ostreopsis ovata along the coasts of Bari and its provinces. While the algae remains present in areas like Molfetta and Bisceglie, concentrations have dropped significantly compared to previous months, suggesting an improvement in water quality regarding this specific biological threat.