by Maximiliano Crocamo
Interview: Fabio Scoccimarro, Regional Councilor for the Environment, Energy, and Sustainable Development of Friuli Venezia Giulia; Fulvio Stelc, scientific director of Arpa FVG; Oriana Biasutto, Marine and transitional water quality manager
With summer in full swing and beach goers flocking to Italy’s coastline, regional authorities in Friuli Venezia Giulia have launched an information campaign to explain the presence of sea foam and mucilage — naturally occurring phenomena that can appear in the Adriatic Sea during the warmer months.
The regional environmental protection agency (Arpa FVG) has published an infographic and detailed web resources on its website and social media, aimed at informing both residents and tourists. The initiative comes after similar occurrences in 2024, when floating foams and cloudy patches were observed offshore, sparking concern among the public.
“Under certain conditions, such as the recent heatwaves or other environmental stressors, these phenomena can emerge,” said Fabio Scoccimarro, the region’s Environmental Councillor. “They may not be pleasant to look at, but they are not harmful to human health.”
While sea foam and mucilage can affect the fishing industry, experts emphasize that these events are generally natural and do not pose health risks for swimmers. The campaign’s central goal is to provide clarity and avoid unnecessary alarm, especially in a year when, so far, such patches have not been reported in the Gulf of Trieste — much to the relief of beachgoers and tourism operators.
Further insights into the causes, types, and frequency of these marine events are available on the Arpa FVG website, under the section titled “Mucillaggini, schiume galleggianti, acque colorate” (Mucilage, Floating Foams, Colored Waters).
Efforts to predict and mitigate these events remain scientifically complex, with environmental conditions and rising sea temperatures playing a key role.
