Gelatinous Mass Disrupts Fishing in the Northern Adriatic
01/09/2026
Fishers in the Po Delta are facing damaged nets and interrupted fishing due to an extraordinary presence of salps—transparent filter-feeders rarely seen in such high numbers in the Northern Adriatic. Analysis by researchers from Bluefarm and the ALIENA project confirms these gelatinous organisms are driving the current crisis.
Scientists link this explosion to recent marine heatwaves, as June 2026 sea surface temperatures reached nearly 30°C (5°C above average). By consuming large amounts of phytoplankton, salps could alter the marine ecosystem and food availability, prompting ongoing joint research between scientists and local fishers to understand and tackle the phenomenon.
