Orbetello eel conservation project cleared by Court of Auditors

The Court of Auditors has rejected an appeal from the regional prosecutor's office regarding a request for €76,272.80 in damages related to a project in the Orbetello lagoon. The court confirmed a previous ruling in favor of Pier Luigi Piro and the Cooperativa Pescatori La Peschereccia.

The project, funded by the European Maritime and Fisheries Fund (FEAMP) 2014-2020, aimed to protect and repopulate the European eel. Activities included purchasing young eels, breeding them, monitoring their health, and releasing them into the lagoon. The court found that the eels were indeed purchased, raised, and released, fulfilling the objectives of the Eel Plan.

The prosecution had contested the management and reporting of the project, specifically questioning the procurement process for certain services and the relationship between the companies involved.