Italian authorities roll out extensive summer safety and marine protection measures

Italy is implementing a series of coordinated actions to ensure safety and environmental protection along its coasts and inland waters during the summer season. The Carabinieri Sub‑aquatics, together with WWF‑Italy, recovered more than 200 kg of ghost‑gear net from a wreck at 50 m depth in the protected area of the Isole Tremiti, part of the WWF “Ghost Gear” project aimed at cleaning the Mediterranean.

In Positano, the Port Authority and the new municipal administration have launched a decor‑and‑order operation at the harbour and the Spiaggia Grande, banning vehicles on the pier and reorganising luggage‑carrier services to improve security and cleanliness.

The Coast Guard has activated the nationwide “Mare e Laghi Sicuri 2026” campaign, deploying over 3 000 personnel, 450 vessels and aircraft to patrol Italy’s 8 000 km of coastline and the major lakes Garda, Maggiore and Como, focusing on rescue, navigation rules and environmental compliance.

Local rescue services have been reinforced: the Croce Rossa’s OPSA teams operate from Senigallia’s Darsena, while a provincial security summit in Manfredonia pledged additional Carabinieri units, video‑surveillance and funding for the “Spiagge Sicure” project in Gargano.

A new 50 km² marine protected area has been created in the Gulf of Trieste to safeguard seahorse populations, prohibiting bottom‑trawling and anchoring, with drone monitoring.

Finally, the Museum of the Sea project in Bari is progressing, with structural work on the Sant’Antonio pier and public participation events to shape the future cultural space.