Droughts Devour Fish Farms Across Europe

Across Europe, persistent drought and scorching heatwaves have caused severe damage to ecosystems and businesses, with fish farming industries facing significant hardship.

In northern Serbia, fishermen observed dwindling water levels in Danube River side channels, threatening juvenile fish in isolated ponds with high temperatures. Hungary is experiencing widespread drought, affecting roughly 27,000 hectares of fish ponds. Last week, 1,588 hectares dried out, resulting in the death of nearly 280 metric tons of fish across 20 farms, with an estimated revenue loss of $4.2 million.

Romanian fish farmers, particularly those cultivating carp, are grappling with the aftermath of severe droughts in previous years, which impacted their three-to-four-year production cycles. In the Czech Republic, fish farmers have implemented emergency measures like reducing feeding and aerating ponds. Bosnian trout breeders are struggling as trout require cold, oxygen-rich water, forcing production cuts.

Emergency teams in Slovenia are pumping water into Lake Pristava to save fish from suffocation and overgrowth. Experts link these extreme weather events to human-induced climate change, emphasizing the need for countries and businesses to develop strategies for minimizing future extreme weather impacts.