Porto Tolle: the rebirth of the fishermen of Scardovari

More than a year has passed since we completed our documentary, Scardovari – The Man and the Sean which we tell the story of Massimo Boscolo and the fishermen of Scardovari, a small community in the Po Delta that has lived in close relationship with the sea and the lagoon for generations.

During filming, we had the opportunity to get to know their daily lives up close, following the fishermen at work and documenting the difficulties they were facing as a result of the spread of the blue crab.

What initially appeared to be a temporary problem soon turned into a crisis capable of seriously threatening one of the most important livelihoods in the area.

More than a year after completing our documentary, we returned to follow the stories of its protagonists.

A lot has changed.

Others, unfortunately, have remained exactly as we left them.

Despite their tireless efforts the blue crab has never been eradicated, and even today many fishermen belonging to the local consortium continue to deal with its presence and with the consequences this invasive species has had on the local economy.

Fishing in the Sacca di Scardovari has always been much more than simply an economic activity. For many families, it is a way of life passed down from generation to generation, a tradition deeply rooted in the history and identity of this land.

For this very reason, the past few years have been particularly difficult.

Some fishermen have decided to leave the industry, looking for new employment opportunities elsewhere. Others have left the Lower Polesine altogether, searching for a future away from fishing and, in many cases, from the lagoon that had always been their home.

It is certainly not an easy decision for those who were born and raised here and built their lives around the sea.

But not everyone chose to leave.

Some fishermen, like Massimo, chose to stay — and, above all, to reinvent themselves.

A decision driven by the desire not to abandon their home and to continue building their future here, finding new ways to showcase what Scardovari still has to offer.

In 2026, after years of hard work, several fishermen finally succeeded in transforming their traditional cavane into unique fishing-farm stays and dining experiences,turning a long-held dream into reality.

The cavane, an essential part of the lagoon landscape and of the fishermen’s daily lives, are taking on a new role.

They are no longer simply places connected to work and fishing. They are becoming spaces where visitors can experience this territory firsthand, discover its cuisine and traditions, and learn about the people who have made their lives here.

It is a courageous and significant step, opening up the possibility of a new beginning for the community of Scardovari through tourism.

A different kind of tourism, however — far removed from mass destinations and deeply rooted in the land itself.

Those who come here can meet the people who live and work in the lagoon every day, hear their stories, discover the fishermen’s way of life and taste the products that come from these waters.

It is a way of telling the story of Scardovari through the things that make it unique.

The sea, fishing, the cavane, the cuisine — and, above all, the people.

Il Poeta: A New Chapter for the Boscolo Family

Among these new ventures is that of the Boscolo family.

Massimo’s family is opening a new chapter in Scardovari’s story with “Il Poeta”, a new fishing-farm hospitality experience where visitors can taste local specialties and discover the centuries-old traditions of one of Italy’s most unspoiled landscapes.

For Massimo and his family, opening the ittiturismo represents the achievement of a goal they have pursued for years.

The project takes on an even deeper meaning after everything the community has been through.

After years marked by the crisis in the fishing industry and the spread of the blue crab, choosing to invest in the local area once again is also a way of continuing to believe in Scardovari’s future.

"Il Poeta" was born from precisely this connection.

A place where the work of the fisherman meets hospitality, and where the day’s catch can go directly from the waters to the table of those who want to experience the authentic flavors of the lagoon.

The catch of the day and local specialties offer visitors the chance to discover a cuisine shaped by what the sea provides, while lagoon excursions reveal Scardovari from a completely different perspective.

The perspective of those who have known these waters all their lives.

Cruising through the lagoon, observing the cavane and discovering the fishermen’s work up close means entering, for a few hours, a world that continues to follow the rhythms of the sea.

And perhaps this is the most fascinating aspect of the project.

It is not simply about opening a new restaurant or launching another tourism business.

It is about giving people the opportunity to discover a culture, a community and a landscape through the eyes of those who live here every day.

A New Possibility for Scardovari

The blue crab is still here, and the difficulties faced by the fishermen

have not suddenly disappeared. The story we

began telling with Scardovari – The Man and the Sea

is still unfolding today.

But this time, we can tell a new chapter.

The story of people who, faced with an extremely difficult situation, chose not to give up and instead decided to build something new.

Fishing-based tourism businesses represent a real opportunity to showcase the area, attract new visitors and introduce people to a part of the Po Delta that still preserves an identity deeply rooted in fishing and the lagoon.

For us, having met Massimo during one of the most difficult periods of his professional life, being able to tell this new chapter today has a particular meaning.

Because behind the opening of “Il Poeta” lies more than just a new business. It represents the determination to continue making a living from this land,

to preserve its traditions and, above all, to look towards the future once again.

The catch of the day, local specialties and excursions through the lagoon will make your visit truly unforgettable.

Take our word for it!