Since early October, cormorants have invaded the Oristano ponds and the damage has run into millions of euros. But there are also poorly oxygenated waters, fish kills and remediation work at a standstill. The Oristano ponds are exhausted and the fishermen are ready to march on Cagliari. This is the snapshot that emerged during the meeting called by the extraordinary administrator of the Province Battista Ghisu who called together the presidents of the various fishing consortia and representatives of the trade associations to take stock of the situation and draw up a document to present to the Region.

In addition to the administrator, the manager Raffaele Melette and the official of the Authority Rosanna Casu, Giuliano Cossu (president of the New Pontis Consortium of Cabras), Raffaele Manca (Is Benas cooperative), Alberto Porcu (Sant'Andrea cooperative of S'Ena Arrubia), Antonio Loi (Marceddì fishing consortium), Gabriele Chessa and Mauro Steri, respectively president and head of the fishing sector of Legacoop Oristano, Antonio Cappai -Confcooperative Oristano and Gianni Fanni, president of Unicoop Oristano were present.

The invasion of cormorants has already begun and the effects, according to the fishermen, are only just beginning. "A study by the University of Sassari had highlighted that the damage caused by cormorants in the province is around 7 million euros" observed Giuliano Cossu, president of the Pontis Consortium. Everyone highlighted the insufficiency of the compensation compared to the damage suffered, underlining the need to review the legislation on compensation closely linked to the methods of census of cormorants, established now 9 years ago with a resolution of the Regional Council of 2015. Gabriele Chessa reiterated "the need to balance the contrast between productive activities and protected fish-eating species, with fair compensation and percentages that correctly define the relationship between regional budget resources and the actual quantification of the damage". Among the various proposals, that of Antonio Cappai for "a minimum basic compensation to be integrated with a subsequent estimate of the damage".

The state of the lagoons was discussed with Antonio Loi who recalled «the blows of this 2024 between fish kills and now the cormorants – he said – In addition we need to speed up the remediation work». On this aspect Mauro Steri also recalled that «the Region has not yet started the hydraulic remediation work». Raffaele Manca underlined that in the 100 hectares of the lagoon under concession today only 9 fishermen work. «Even twenty could work, but the damage caused by the cormorants does not allow it. We must fight to defend jobs, there is a lack of young people now». And Gianni Fanni insisted on the need for job changes. The extraordinary administrator Battista Ghisu listened to all the critical issues and assured maximum commitment «the Province is with the fishermen».

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