Po Delta heatwave kills 90% of clams and mussels, threatens Italian aquaculture

Extreme heat raised water temperatures in the Po Delta to about 32 °C, causing catastrophic losses in mollusc farms. In the Sacca di Goro, up to 90 % of the clam (vongola) crop disappeared, while in Scardovari (Rovigo) producers reported a sudden die‑off of roughly 1,000 quintals of mussels.

The high temperature reduced dissolved oxygen and spurred algal blooms, and anti‑blue‑crab fences further limited water exchange, turning the lagoon into a "giant pot". Industry groups warn that climate‑related warming is inflicting around €200 million in direct annual damage on Italy’s professional fishing sector, with mollusc cultivation hit hardest.