Councillor Bond meets with fishermen and industry representatives
(AVN) – Bardolino (Verona), March 30, 2026
The growing presence of the catfish in Lake Garda today represents one of the main environmental and economic problems in the area. Catches of this non-native and highly invasive species have increased significantly in recent years. Furthermore, the catfish is considered a "super-predator": it feeds on numerous fish species and profoundly alters the lake's balance, threatening biodiversity. Its high adaptability—it can survive even in waters with little oxygen or harsh conditions—makes it particularly competitive with local fauna.
This situation has led administrators and trade associations to call for regional intervention, culminating this morning in a meeting promoted by Regional Fisheries Councilor Dario Bond with fishermen, technicians, and local institutions. Regional Councilor Diego Ruzza also attended the meeting at the Casetto di Cisano farm in Bardolino.
"Catfish is a long-standing problem, long reported by the local community," Bond explained, "so much so that regional intervention has been requested to find concrete solutions. It's a phenomenon that must be addressed seriously, as it's creating real difficulties for fishing and the lake's equilibrium. Alongside these critical issues, however, there's also a potential economic opportunity: catfish has a well-established market, especially in Northern European countries like Germany, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Therefore, it's not a matter of fishing a product destined to be discarded: a real commercial supply chain already exists. The price of fresh fish hovers around €2.50-2.70 per kilo and it's regularly consumed." The Region's objective, in agreement with the fishermen, is therefore twofold: to limit the environmental impact and to economically enhance the species: "We will work to strengthen the catfish commercial supply chain, guaranteeing fishermen a secure and structured outlet. This means providing stability to the market and turning a criticality into a resource."
At the same time, support for professional fishing on Lake Garda remains central:
"We must support the fishermen, who represent an important but not large-scale reality," Bond added. "Concrete support is needed, both in experimentation and in the purchase of suitable equipment, because the fishing system is changing, and so are the necessary nets." Help could also come from European funds: "Through Feampa funds, we can intervene to support the sector, for example by building temporary storage centers. During hot periods, it is essential to keep fish at a controlled temperature to ensure its quality and commercial value."
Today's meeting in Cisano is a first step toward a shared strategy: "It was an important opportunity because we engaged in open discussions: fishermen, technicians, institutional representatives, and politicians were present. There is great interest in the topic, and while I make no promises, I leave this meeting with positive signs."
During the discussions, another critical issue affecting the lake's balance emerged: "We also addressed the issue of the cormorant and the need to initiate discussions with ISPRA. It is urgent to develop a specific plan for Lake Garda, because this animal can significantly impact fish populations, even compromising juvenile fish, which is the basis of future fishing. We will work hard on this front."
The process we have initiated therefore aims for integrated management of Lake Garda's critical issues: "From today, a new phase of dialogue and collaboration begins. We have sat down with all the professional fishermen of Lake Garda and the institutions. We must protect a category that is part of Lake Garda's history," Bond concluded, "and ensure that it can continue to work and play a leading role in the region."
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