Storm damage kills thousands of fish at Schiedlberg farm

Thousands of fish have died at a fish farm in Schiedlberg in the Steyr-Land district after a fallen tree severed a power line during Wednesday evening’s storm front, ORF reported. The family-run business estimates that it has lost 70 to 80 percent of its stock.

The tree fell about 50 metres from the farm and cut the power line. How electricity subsequently entered the water is being investigated by Netz Oberösterreich, with initial findings expected next week.

The facility held about 21 tonnes of fish before the incident. The tanks and ponds are now almost empty, although some sturgeon are still swimming. Many have suffered broken spines and must be euthanised, fish farmer Matthias Maier said.

“The fish is still alive and has enough oxygen around its brain, but everything in the rear section is already dead,” Maier said.

The family supplies fish to a major retail chain and says the losses threaten the business’s existence. Maier said every fish sold in the coming weeks would help the family survive financially.

“It is more than an existential threat,” he said. “We will have to work out how we can manage this in the coming weeks and months.”

Local residents have responded by buying fish to support the farm. Maier’s wife, Ursula, said the family was grateful for the solidarity, despite the tragedy.

“It hurts when you raise the fish. You develop a bond with them,” she said.

Maier said he had barely slept since Wednesday as he and his family worked to save as many fish as possible.