Warm sea and drought, sea bream devour the 'muscles' in La Spezia

(ANSA) - LA SPEZIA, 20 JUN - The production of mussels, the 'muscle' in La Spezia, is at risk due to the overheating of the sea and the persistent drought.

In the last three weeks, some producers who have complained of a loss of turnover of up to 40 thousand euros.

"We detected an increase in the water temperature up to 5 ° between May and June, reaching 25 degrees in the superficial layers. In these conditions, the metabolism of the sea bream increases and so does their feeding. In the nurseries outside the breakwater of the port we are losing tons of produced every day ".

This is explained by Federico Pinza, director of the Cooperativa Mitilicoltorispezzini.

In the nurseries inside the breakwater, at least those protected by a fence, the situation is less worrying.

Those in the open sea are instead taken by

assault every day.

"We tried to activate four fishing vessels with gillnets, but the results were not satisfactory because the water is clear and the fish avoid them - continues Pinza -. For this reason we ask for a table with the Municipality, Prefecture and the Port Authority to authorize a boat that operates with lacianciola, the only technique that could be effective ".

Unpalliativo, waiting for the clouds.

The best summers for high-quality La Spezia mussels, also exported to Europe and Asia, are those in which rainfall has been recorded that is capable of lowering the sea temperature.

"This allows the water to oxygenate and promote phytoplankton. It triggers a virtuous circle - says Pinza. On the contrary, if the water stagnates, it is a disaster.