Giant catfish threaten holiday paradise Lake Garda: anglers on alert!

Giant catfish threaten holiday paradise Lake Garda: anglers on alert!

Sirmione on Lake Garda is a popular vacation spot that is facing a new threat this year. The population of giant catfish in Italy's largest lake has increased sharply, endangering the region's native flora and fauna as well as its tourist appeal. Anglers and divers report an alarming development. Large catfish that develop an extreme hunting instinct have already been spotted.

In one notable incident, three spearfishermen caught a catfish approximately two meters long and weighing 80 kilograms. The free diver Daniele Bertoloni also discovered a 2.58 meter specimen at a depth of 25 meters. Sightings of this impressive species of fish are increasing, and Bertoloni himself shows respect for such giants, preferring to watch the catfish rather than catch them.

Ecological challenges on Lake Garda

The conditions in Lake Garda are currently ideal for catfish reproduction. Clear waters, shallow shore areas and high temperatures promote population growth. Not only do catfish pose a threat to other fish species by preying on spawning grounds such as bass, but they also impact waterfowl and small mammals that live in riparian areas.

Marco Brognoli, a Garda diver and spearfisherman, reports regular sightings of catfish over two meters long and reports that he and his friends caught 14 catfish in just 200 meters in a short period of time. However, they also have to overcome the challenges of catching catfish, as the equipment is often damaged under the enormous strain. Brognoli, for example, suffered equipment losses of around 60 euros.

Impact on tourism

The increase in catfish on Lake Garda also has a serious impact on tourism. In other regions, such as Mantua, catfish have already eaten entire lakes, leading to a decline in tourism. Brognoli therefore urgently calls for a strategy to contain the catfish population and suggests setting up collection and disposal points for fishermen.

The situation is worrying and so far Italy has not found an effective solution to the catfish problem. The ecological balance of Lake Garda is at risk and the bidding for nature is at odds, while at the same time its attractiveness for tourists is at stake. The catfish problem could seriously jeopardize the future of the popular holiday resort of Sirmione.

For more information about the challenges posed by catfish on Lake Garda, visit derwesten.de or t-online.de.