Italian aquaculture and fishing environmental crisis

Aquaculture and fishing industries in Italy, particularly in the Emilia-Romagna region, are facing significant environmental crises driven by rising sea temperatures and changing salinity levels.

Initial reports highlighted a widespread die-off of mussels caused by exceptionally high temperatures, prompting the regional government to launch investigations into production losses. Regional councilor for Agriculture and Fisheries, Alessio Mammi, indicated that authorities were working to establish the consequences and evaluate extraordinary support measures for affected enterprises.

As the situation progressed, the crisis expanded to include the impact of invasive blue crabs. In the Fiora River region, a ‘salt wedge’ phenomenon—where seawater pushes further inland due to low rainfall and high heat—has allowed these crabs to migrate into freshwater areas. In Comacchio, extreme water temperatures reaching 33 degrees Celsius have resulted in mussel mortality rates of approximately 90%, specifically impacting seed mussels intended for future production. Regional authorities are now considering adjustments to compensation and indemnity calculations to address these exceptional mortality rates.

The crisis has now extended to the Campania region, where unusually high Mediterranean sea temperatures are causing severe mortality among mussel stocks. In areas such as the Gulf of Naples, Pozzuoli, and the lakes of Fusaro and Miseno, water temperatures near 30 degrees Celsius at 15-meter depths, combined with low water turnover, have led to anoxia and microalgae issues. Producers warn that regional production could drop to less than half of its typical 6,000-ton annual output. Industry organizations, including UNCI AgroAlimentare and Mytilus Campaniae, have raised concerns regarding economic viability. In response, regional authorities have convened a technical committee of producers, cooperatives, and health institutes to manage remaining stocks.