He was fishing for clams in a protected area, diving with a tank and scuba gear into Lake Fusaro, in the Bacoli area. A 51-year-old man, resident in the province of Naples, was reported by the Carabinieri CITES Unit of Naples following a targeted anti-poaching check.
The intervention was triggered by a report of individuals engaged in illegal activities within the body of water, which falls within the Campi Flegrei protected area and is recognized as a site of community interest. Officers stationed along the shores observed a person in the water collecting bivalves.
Once the dive was over, the man resurfaced wearing a wetsuit, fins, and boots, carrying a net full of clams. He was arrested and identified, but had previously been reported for similar violations. The Carabinieri seized the catch and the equipment used. Nearby, hidden among the vegetation, a rake, also believed to be used for harvesting clams, was also found and seized.
Investigations conducted during previous operations in the same area have highlighted how bivalves illegally harvested from the lake sometimes end up in the commercial circuit without any health checks or relaying procedures, posing potential risks to consumer health as well as to the ecosystem's balance.
Changes and revisions to this article
- Article updated on 06/02/2026 at 11:38 PM - Title typo corrected
Source EDITORIAL TEAM
Comments (2)
I don't understand how these illegal activities can be carried out in protected areas. There should be harsher penalties for those who continue to violate environmental laws, especially in sensitive areas like Lake Fusaro.
It's incredible how people don't understand the importance of preserving the environment. Poaching not only damages the ecosystem, but also the health of those who consume these products. More control is needed.