Workers rescue carp from drought-hit Darscho salt pond

Emergency measures are under way at the Darscho salt pond near Apetlon in the Neusiedl am See district to save its fish stock, ORF reported on Wednesday.

Scaled carp are being removed because the water level has fallen sharply. The fish are being transferred to ponds belonging to friendly fishing associations, where they are expected to survive.

“The water level is unfortunately so low. This is a very serious situation, and fish will also die if we do not remove them,” said Gottfried Pingitzer, chairman of Apetlon’s Urbarialgemeinde.

There is a risk that the pond could dry out completely. Water is being pumped into the Darscho to counter the falling level, but Pingitzer said the current heat and wind made the effort a “fight against windmills”.

The pond is not currently expected to dry out completely, but those involved are hoping for rain.