Extreme Drought Devastates European Fish Populations

This summer's relentless drought across Europe has wreaked havoc on fish populations, threatening their survival in rivers, lakes, and fish farms alike. The Danube River in northern Serbia has become a shocking example, where the water has receded to mere ponds, leaving fish in perilous conditions.

Fisherman Dusan Jovanovic shared, "This is all we have, these two little ponds that are full of juvenile fish." He warned that the combination of insufficient water and rising temperatures, now exceeding 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit), could lead to catastrophic fish deaths. "If they start to die, they will all die at once," he added.

The drought's impact is extensive, affecting ecosystems and local businesses from Slovenia to Hungary, with the fish industry facing damages in the millions of euros. Hungary is currently grappling with severe drought conditions over 99% of its land, causing severe desertification of the Great Hungarian Plain and leaving 1,588 hectares (3,924 acres) of fish ponds dry. This has resulted in the loss of nearly 280 metric tons of fish, with an estimated revenue loss of 1.3 billion forints ($4.2 million).

Fish farmers from Romania are also feeling the heat, particularly those who cultivate carp. The president of ROMFISH, Catalin Platon, noted that the production cycle for carp spans three to four years. He lamented that previous irrigation policies prioritized crops over fish, leaving them with inadequate water. In the Czech Republic, fish farmers have resorted to emergency measures, such as suspending feed to conserve oxygen or aerating ponds.

In Bosnia, trout farmer Veljko Budjen reported that high temperatures have forced him to reduce production. He suggested adding liquid oxygen to ponds as a temporary measure. Meanwhile, in Slovenia, emergency teams have been pumping millions of liters of water into Lake Pristava to stave off a fish suffocation crisis, yet fears remain about the effectiveness of these efforts.

As the drought continues, fishermen across the region are contemplating urgent measures, including relocating endangered fish to safer environments. The ongoing extreme weather patterns have left many, like Jovanovic, in disbelief, as they confront a crisis unprecedented in living memory.

Source: www.independent.co.uk