One of the most beautiful beaches in Calabria is at risk due to the phenomenon ofcoastal erosion. The alarm concerns the area of Scoglio dell’Ulivo near the Tonnara di Palmiin a stretch of sea on the Costa Viola in the lower Tyrrhenian Sea.
Protected behind by Mount Sant’Elia, with Sicily and the Aeolian Islands in the background, it is a unique, very popular place, characterized by sand mixed with gravel and pebbles, crystal clear water and nature that come together to provide a wonderful postcard of Calabria. It is a priceless heritage, from an environmental, tourist and economic point of viewfor which interventions are urgently needed.
«A project has been presented to the Metropolitan City to request financing with funds dedicated to coastal erosion, following a study carried out in this stretch of sea by the Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabriadepartment of Hydraulic Engineering, which provided us with the marine motion data – he reports Carmelo Fiorilloprovincial president of the Italian seaside union belonging to Confcommercio and owner of a lido in the area -. It is important to make the beach safe, to safeguard the seafront and the road which would risk collapsing due to erosion. One thesis, confirmed by the study carried out by the university, is that when works are carried out at sea, as in our case the marina, an effect is created which on the one hand erodes and on the other silts it up. In the Pietrenere area there is an extension of the beach, the opposite happens further south in the area near the Ulivarella rock.”
The criticality is also confirmed by Aleksander Ndrecaowner of the historic bathing establishment overlooking the Scoglio dell’Ulivo: «The salvation of this beach is to put the boulders into the sea, as happens everywhere. It’s a shame, because this is one of the places in Palmi best known by tourists. When there are storm surges the water reaches the stairs. First there were forty meters of beach, then thirty meters, I placed six rows of umbrellas, now with a few meters only two rows can barely fit».
The phenomenon affects many of the approximately 700 kilometers of Calabrian coast. The coastline, accommodation facilities, homes and roads are at risk. The causes are multiple. Both natural and man-made factors. We are working to identify the most effective actions to implement to protect the territory. One of many would consist in the careful management of the waterways that feed the beaches. Various solutions are being examined to mitigate the emergency.
«As a metropolitan city we have financed projects, in some cases through agreements with the university, like the one that concerns us. I am projects funded to study solutions to avoid coastal erosion which increases every year – explains the mayor of Palmi and metropolitan councilor Giuseppe Ranuccio -. In this case we studied the entire Costa Viola, We hope to find the funds as soon as possible. We have already asked them to also carry out breakwater works off the coast between the port and Ulivarella. They would have a double function, first of breaking the waves and therefore preventing the arrival of storm surges, and of creating a sort of coral reef with the consequent reinvigoration of marine flora and fauna. The design combines with that of the 4 million Pnrr of the seafront so I hope to start the works within the year”.
