Veneto funds catfish control on Lake Garda as Legambiente warns of water quality at Lake Pertusillo

The regional government of Veneto approved a €100,000 grant programme to support professional fishing companies operating on Lake Garda. Up to €20,000 per firm can be awarded to cover 100% of eligible costs for nets, conservation equipment and other gear needed to capture the invasive catfish (siluro), a species that threatens the lake’s native fauna. The scheme was announced by regional fisheries assessor Dario Bond.

Environmental NGO Legambiente has drawn attention to water‑quality problems at Lake Pertusillo in Basilicata, a key reservoir for southern Italy’s water supply. The lake has been classified in the A3 category, requiring advanced treatment due to high coliform counts, eutrophication and pollution from agricultural, livestock and industrial sources. Legambiente urges a long‑term strategy that includes reducing waste, modernising water networks, improving irrigation efficiency and protecting the ecosystem.