The “Marauders of the Po” are attacking again, and in fact have never stopped doing so, with a series of thefts and episodes of poaching. The last event in chronological order dates back to the last few hours; in fact last night the usual unknown people struck at the Nautica di Isola Pescaroli, tampering with a gate and causing two four-stroke, forty horsepower engines to disappear into thin air from as many boats which were also heavily damaged.
Not the first episode, unfortunately. In fact, only a few days earlier, again on Isola Pescaroli, a 15 horsepower two-stroke engine was stolen from another boat. Not only theft but also damage to the boats themselves; furthermore, from what several regular visitors to the river report, it seems that, for several days now, poaching phenomena have once again occurred along the river between the Cremonese, Parma and Piacenza areas. Other thefts of boat engines have also been reported in the Boretto area in recent days.
Following the repetition of these episodes, the alarm was immediately raised and the various nautical associations on both banks of the river were informed. In both Emilia and Lombardy the guard is high and everyone is warmly invited to immediately report to the police the possible presence of suspicious people, situations and cars. Unfortunately, the theft of outboard motors (which are particularly expensive), together with fish poaching along the river, is a “plague” that has been going on for years.
Suffice it to say that over ten years have passed since the conference “River Po: the new Far West” which was held in Gonzaga, at Carpitaly, the national carp fishing and catfish fishing exhibition. It had already emerged at the time that between March 2011 and January 2012 alone, in less than a year, around twenty thefts had been carried out.
The proposal to restore the river police along the Po with adequately equipped inflatable boats had already been launched at that time. It would also be extremely useful to restore the Carabinieri naval fleet that Cremona could boast of many years ago. But, apparently, there is no point in denying it, the issue of security seems to continue to be convenient for quite a few politicians on the right and left (passing through the centre) to fill their mouths (and their bellies, yes), or give air to the same (even better if in times of electoral campaign, right?) without however bringing any particular facts.
Because today, it must be said, men and means capable of increasing surveillance and therefore safety on the most important Italian river are not in abundance and the blame must be sought in those who, on the high “benches” are called to decide and certainly not among those who can only try to organize with what they have available. It must be said, for the record, that over the years there have already been several operations that have led to complaints, arrests, seizures with important results and also with the discovery of several engines (especially in Hungary and Romania) but, apparently, the Great river continues to tempt thieves and poachers.
To tackle the problem, cooperation between associations, bodies and law enforcement agencies on both banks of the Po is certainly fundamental. With strong hope and a clear appeal to those who sit on the high and velvety Roman “seats” to make safety of the Po (the most important Italian river and one of the main European ones, it is right to remind you gentlemen) one of their daily priorities, which needs actions and not words.
Hermit of the Po
