For several days, entire schools of dead fish have been accumulating in the Orbetello lagoon nature reserve in Tuscany.
Environmental conditions suspected to be the cause
Several hypotheses have been put forward to explain this phenomenon. For some, the death of the fish would be linked to the overheating of the water. However, this theory is rejected by others, as fish are able to adapt to variations in water temperature by modifying their metabolism, slowing it down or speeding it up. The lack of oxygen in the environment, caused by Valonia algae, or even chemical substances released into the water, are also pointed out.
The municipality is worried
The municipality is working to remove the fish corpses, carried by the wind into the lagoon. Andrea Casamenti, mayor of Orbetello, is worried that the situation could get worse: “Yesterday morning, before lunch, about 250 quintals were collected. The next estimate will be made today, which at first glance, could be the largest observed.”
The urgency of a solution
For Lindo Bondoni, head of the lagoon nature reserve, it is urgent to ensure respect for biodiversity in the park in order to prevent this type of situation: “If the intervention methodology to control the environmental conditions of the lagoon is not changed, it, like all coastal areas, is doomed to die. We must move forward.”