Lake Maggiore's final fishermen saved from impending annihilation: "The cooperative rescued from collapse"
The Gulf of Solcio Fishermen and Aquaculture Cooperative, one of only two lake fisherman cooperatives in the Lake Maggiore basin, is navigating challenges in a rapidly changing environment. President Giorgio Brovelli, who began fishing at the tender age of 14, leads the cooperative in its efforts to maintain traditional lake fishing practices while adapting to contemporary obstacles.
Based in the picturesque region of Piedmont, the cooperative participates in Campagna amica markets and the communal markets of Arona, Gattico, Verbania, Novara, and Armeno. Despite this, finding suitable fishermen is proving to be a daunting task. The profession of lake fisherman, particularly in Piedmont, Lake Como, and Lake Garda, is at risk of disappearing due to a combination of climate factors, dietary changes, competition from industrial fishing, and regulatory restrictions.
The cooperative had sought to bring in four fishermen, two from Bangladesh and two from Sri Lanka, but management flow problems and respect for the waiting list have prevented their arrival. The search for individuals willing to take on both fishing and additional tasks like processing and deliveries is a complex one.
The cooperative maintains mobile racks and nine vessels moored in various locations, and employs 26 summer workers and 21 workers for the rest of the year. Fishermen in the cooperative have the option to become self-employed and keep a portion of their catch for themselves.
The monthly wage for fishermen in the cooperative hovers around 1,400/1,500 euros, but those who also handle processing and/or deliveries earn more. The cooperative delivers fish to various regions, including the Milan fish market, and is involved in catering, managing the Osteria "La Vecchia Scuola" in Lesa and the restaurant "Da Gio'".
The cooperative's fishing rights cost 30,000 euros per year, to be divided among all the fishermen who benefit from it. The cooperative's members pay a concession to the Borromeo family to fish in the waters from Solcio to Sesto Calende.
The challenges facing lake fishermen in Piedmont include environmental pressures, regulatory restrictions, economic difficulties, and declining fish populations. To address these issues, cooperatives like the Gulf of Solcio Fishermen and Aquaculture Cooperative employ collective management, aquaculture development, advocacy, community support, and environmental stewardship.
Giorgio Brovelli, now 68 years old, is determined to continue working for a few more years to find someone to teach the trade and keep the tradition alive. The cooperative's efforts to adapt and innovate while preserving traditional lake fishing practices serve as a testament to their resilience and commitment to the future of lake fishery in Piedmont.
The Gulf of Solcio Fishermen and Aquaculture Cooperative, in its quest to preserve traditional lake fishing practices, is expanding its horizon beyond fishing, venturing into food-and-drink and home-and-garden sectors through catering, restaurant management, and potentially onboarding new members with other skills like food processing and delivery. Despite the search, finding suitable individuals from other regions like Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to join the cooperative's other-lifestyle of lake fishing has proven challenging.
