In Fano, a coastal town in Italy’s Marche region, residents like Daniele and Alfreda Montini continue their morning ritual of walking in the Adriatic Sea, despite rising temperatures.
At 7:30 a.m., the temperature already sits at a steamy 29°C, signaling a significant shift in the region’s climate. Daniele notes that the once-choppy waters are now mostly flat, and the sea, which recently reached a record 30°C, feels unusually warm.
This persistent heat has led to a surge in mucilage, a slimy substance formed by microalgae, particularly affecting northern and central areas of the Adriatic.
Mucilage proliferates when the sea lacks nutrients from rivers like the Po. Its last major appearance was in 1989, impacting beachgoers and now fishermen.
Fishermen struggle with mucilage clogs, affecting their nets and disrupting local marine life.Alessandro Ciavaglia, a local fisherman, reports that the mucilage clogs fishing nets and damages boat engines, while also suffocating shellfish.
The Adriatic’s rising temperatures are altering marine life; species such as swordfish are appearing, while native fish like turbot are dwindling.
Ciavaglia, with 40 years of experience, acknowledges the changing climate and its impact on his work. Similarly, fishers in nearby Pesaro and Cattolica are struggling. Anna Franchini, representing small fishers, highlights severe reductions in fishing activity due to the mucilage.
Despite a recent slight drop in sea temperature to 28°C, marine biologist Roberto Danovaro warns that the situation remains precarious, with peak temperatures expected around mid-August.
The Adriatic, once vibrant, is becoming increasingly tropical in its ecosystem, reflecting broader environmental changes.