Description

The river winds its way with wide loops and secondary branches towards shallow, fish-filled brackish lagoon backwaters. Together with the nearby Secca di Muzzana, this small corner has been declared a wetland of international importance, in accordance with the Ramsar Convention. Limited strips of riparian forest line the banks, especially further inland, while the tip of the peninsula is the site of the largest group of casoni in the Marano lagoon. These temporary dwellings made of wood and reeds were used by “compagnie” (bands) of lagoon fishermen until the 1950s. The introduction of motorized fishing boats made these huts superfluous and the few that survive are now used for recreational purposes. The growing influx of seawater is beginning seriously to undermine this fragile environment. The protected area, 1377 hectares covering dry land and bodies of water, is best visited by boat, especially in guided tours organized from Marano and Lignano, which in some cases include overnight stays in a casone. Canoes are available for hire at a landing stage near fishing scales that can be reached from Palazzolo della Stella/Piancada. If the area is explored in a privately-owned boat, it is important to observe the speed limit and all waterway regulations.