Campania continues to be threatened by environmental crimes affecting its coasts and sea. In 2023, 3.095 environmental crimes were recorded, according to the new "Mare Monstrum 2024" report presented by Legambiente. The association highlighted that 3.622 administrative violations were detected, with an average of 14,3 violations per kilometer of coastline. Despite intensified enforcement actions, as demonstrated by the 7% increase in reported and arrested individuals, reaching 3.341, the phenomenon of environmental violations remains worrying.
The report's presentation comes on the eve of the 14th anniversary of the killing of Angelo Vassallo, the fisherman mayor of Pollica, a symbol of the fight against illegal activities and coastal speculation. Tomorrow, in Acciaroli, commemorations will be held in his honor, during which Legambiente will award the Vassallo Prize to virtuous administrations and reiterate the urgency of taking action against environmental crimes.
Mariateresa Imparato, regional president of Legambiente, stressed the importance of strengthening the role of institutions, from Municipalities to Regions, including ARPA, to combat abuses. "It is necessary to intensify the demolition of illegal buildings and complete the sewerage and purification system," He also reiterated the need for tougher sanctions against illegal fishing and to promote the circular economy. The illegal cement cycle, Imparato added, accounts for almost half of environmental crimes in Campania, devastating the landscape and increasing discharges into the sea from illegally constructed buildings.
According to the report, Campania leads the national ranking of crimes related to illegal building and illegal occupation of maritime state property. In 2023, 1.531 crimes were detected, an increase of 21,4% compared to the previous year, with 1.710 reports and 332 seizures. Administrative sanctions amount to over 3 million euros.
The Campania sea also suffers severely from pollution caused by illegal discharges and poor purification. Despite a slight decrease of 2,3% compared to 2022, the region maintains the sad record with 1.047 confirmed crimes, 16% of the national total. The authorities have seized assets worth over 108 million euros and reported more than 1.100 people.
On the illegal fishing front, Campania is in the middle of the ranking with 533 violations, far from the highest figures of regions such as Sicily and Puglia. However, over 258 tons of fish products were seized, 60% of which include dates and shellfish, often the result of illegal fishing.
Finally, Campania ranks second in Italy for nautical violations, with 281 offenses, a 319,4% increase compared to 2022, accompanied by 273 complaints. Faced with this scenario, Legambiente has launched a package of ten proposals aimed at combating illegal construction, improving water purification, more effectively managing waste, and combating illegal fishing. The association calls for urgent action to stop illegal construction, strengthen sewerage and purification systems, and increase penalties for those who damage the environment.
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