Naples – The Marine Protected Area of gaiola, a naturalistic and cultural jewel of Naples, risks being compromised by an “environmental redevelopment” project that includes sewage discharges in the middle of a protected area. Marevivo and Greenpeace, together with the Campania delegation of Marevivo, have filed an appeal with the TAR Campania to annul the ministerial decree that authorizes the “Environmental Redevelopment and Urban Regeneration Plan” (PRARU) of Bagnoli-Coroglio.
A controversial plan
The decree, signed by the Ministries of the Environment and Culture, has raised serious concerns about the serious environmental, health and economic consequences it could cause. The PRARU, in fact, provides for the expansion of the sewer collector and the construction of new bypass sewer outlets right in the heart of the protected area. In case of rain, up to 206 cubic meters per second of sewage and potentially toxic water would end up in the sea, with devastating effects on the marine ecosystem and on the health of citizens.
A fragile ecosystem to protect
The area between Gaiola and Nisida is an area of naturalistic and cultural value, a habitat of cliffs, caves, coralligenous and Posidonia oceanica meadows, protected by European directives and international conventions. Maurizio Simeone, director of the AMP Parco Sommerso di Gaiola, has been denouncing the potential damage of the plan for months, calling it "a devastating choice for the sea of Naples and a serious precedent for all marine protected areas".
Marevivo and Greenpeace's commitment
Rosalba Giugni, president of Fondazione Marevivo, underlines the association's thirty-year commitment to defending Gaiola and announces a "democratic call to action" to support the appeal to the TAR. Valentina Di Miccoli, Greenpeace Italia's sea campaigner, criticizes the indifference of the administrations towards the protection of the sea and denounces the economic interests that risk sacrificing the marine ecosystem.
An economic and social damage
The negative repercussions of the project would not be limited to the environment, but would also involve the economy and tourism linked to the sea. The Posillipo area, with its beach resorts and tourist-recreational activities, represents a fundamental resource for the city. Fabio Postiglione, representing the mussel farmers, expressed concern about the risk of a “backlash” to production, while Mario Morra, head of the Italian Beach Resort Union, fears that the project could compromise the quality of the water and the tourist attractiveness of the area.
A Call for Justice
The appeal to the TAR is supported by numerous associations, including Federazione UniVerde, Federazione del Mare, Confcommercio and others. Alfonso Pecoraro Scanio, president of Fondazione UniVerde, hopes that justice will block "this absurd and harmful choice", while Mario Mattioli, president of Federazione del Mare, underlines the importance of preserving the marine ecosystem for future generations.
Article published on 12 February 2025 - 14:08
