The Garigliano River mouth is silted up, leaving boats stranded and tourism in crisis.

UA paradoxical bureaucratic stalemate is holding the mouth of the Garigliano hostage, between Sessa Aurunca (Caserta) and Minturno (Latina), where the accumulation of sand has transformed the river into an impassable swamp, blocking navigation and bringing the local economy to its knees.

Dozens of boats, stranded for weeks, are a symbol of a threatened tourist season in an area with enormous potential for boating and coastal tourism. The situation, denounced by operators and associations, requires urgent intervention to avoid health, economic, and social consequences.

The problem is clear: silting has drastically reduced the seabed's depth, making it impossible for boats to pass. But the solution—dredging—is hampered by a tangle of environmental permits still being assessed.

West Nile virus reports fifth death in Campania, prompting growing public concern. July 30, 2025 - 20:51

The mouth of the GariglianoClassified as a Site of Community Importance for its rich biodiversity, the area is subject to strict environmental regulations. The procedures, involving local authorities, maritime authorities, and regional and national bodies, have become bogged down in bureaucratic limbo, leaving operators and residents to deal with the consequences.

"This is an absurd situation," thunders Vincenzo Stabile, national vice president of the Ecological Research Groups. "The silting up not only paralyzes the economy, but threatens public health, with the risk of the river mouth turning into a malarial swamp. And, ironically, it is precisely this inaction that is damaging the very ecosystem we are trying to protect."

Stabile points to the lack of documentation and the "fear of action" of the relevant authorities, calling for immediate intervention by the Prefect to break the stalemate. Local operators, from fishermen to tourism operators, are counting their losses. The mouth of the Garigliano River, a gateway to the sea for an area that thrives on boating, fishing, and tourism, is a crucial economic driver for the communities of Sessa Aurunca and Minturno.

"Every day of closure is an incalculable loss," says Antonio, manager of a small boatyard. "Tourists cancel, boats remain idle, and we lose an entire season's work." Local associations emphasize the untapped potential of the area, which could attract thousands of visitors thanks to its natural and historical beauty, but now risks sinking into oblivion.

Authorities are working to expedite the permits, but time is running out. With summer in full swing, every day of delay is a blow to the tourist season and the confidence of those who live in this area. The mouth of the Garigliano, once a symbol of connection between land and sea, awaits a solution that restores dignity to an area rich in history and opportunity. The call is clear: decisive action is needed, and it's needed now.