GARGAZZONE. The death of thousands of fish in the irrigation-merano/” title=”Fish kill in the Rio Eschio in Gargazzone Fishing Union: «Too much water withdrawn for irrigation» – Merano”>Eschio river in Gargazzone at the beginning of September had outraged many people. Also because among the fry left without water – intended for irrigation purposes – there were also those of the Po Valley barbel, for example, one of the protected species at European level. The Province, as can be seen from a question presented by Madeleine Rohrer of the Greens from Merano to the competent councilor Peter Brunner, has identified those responsible for this highly inappropriate choice, who will also only pay a paltry fine.
Water diverted by the Land Improvement Consortium.
«The provincial government – comments Rohrer – informed us that “it has been ascertained that water was diverted from the Aschlbach by the Land Improvement Consortium”. The administrative fines that those responsible for the fish deaths will have to pay are ridiculous and amount to between 250 and 2500 euros. The damage to nature and to all of us, however, is much greater. The time has come to take countermeasures so that nature in South Tyrol does not disappear piece by piece.”
The Greens: «Devastating damage to nature that could have been avoided».
For Rohrer, a fundamental reasoning is needed on this issue. «The nature of Alto Adige is suffering. When will we finally understand that we have crossed a border and that we are progressively destroying everything that makes our land so beautiful? When will we say, all together, enough is enough, so we can no longer go on? The most recent example is the death of fish in the Aschlerbach in Gargazzone. A devastating damage to nature that could absolutely have been avoided. This is what can be seen from the Council’s response to our question. What do we know? At the beginning of September, the last kilometers of the stream dried up because all the water was diverted for irrigation. Among others, thousands of fry died, including those of the Po Valley barbel, a protected species at European Union level. The Aschlerbach is one of the few spawning areas of this endangered fish species in South Tyrol. The fact is that for all water concessions for this stream a minimum viable flow is foreseen. Since the stream was particularly low at the beginning of September, three inspections were carried out within a few days. During the third and final inspection it was concluded that “under the present circumstances it would no longer be possible to divert water”.
Fishermen outraged: “Unfortunately it is not an isolated case.”
«The drying up of the river has had a devastating impact on the animals that populate it. The consequences of the shoal were devastating: the biological community of the river was completely wiped out – commented the Fisheries Union – Particularly serious is the fact that, in addition to the chub and trout fry, countless juveniles of Po river barbel also died, a protected species at European level. The Rio Eschio is one of the few breeding areas in Alto Adige for this threatened fish species and, at the moment, it is not possible to estimate the impact of this accident on the population. Unfortunately, this tragedy is not an isolated case.”
(Aic Photo)
2024-10-06 05:40:54