Fishermen lose millions in heat wave

(ANSA) - Grosseto, July 29 - A recent heat wave caused estimated damages of 10-12 million euros in the Orbetello lagoon in the Maremma coastal area of Tuscany, the Orbetello Fishermen's Cooperative said Wednesday.
    It will take four to five years to restore the lagoon's habitat after a heat wave over the past few days caused at least 100 tons of fish to suffocate from lack of oxygen in the lagoon, the cooperative said.
    "We have found 100 tons of fish dead from lack of oxygen so far but we keep recovering more remains so the number is set to rise," the cooperative said.
    The cooperative includes 100 families and its annual turnover from fish sales totals six million euros. Also on Wednesday, Orbetello Mayor Monica Paffetti said the Tuscan regional government has declared the Orbetello lagoon a disaster area, meaning fishermen will compensated and funding will be allocated to nurse the lagoon back to health.