Drought drives mass fish deaths across Switzerland

Hundreds of thousands of fish have died in Switzerland over the past two months as heat and drought leave streams dry and water temperatures too high, SRF reported. Emergency removals are being used to save the remaining fish, but experts warn that millions more could die if the dry period continues.

Trout, minnows, bullheads and loaches have died in dried-up streambeds or suffocated in water that has become too warm. The survivors are crowding into the few remaining pools, where they struggle for oxygen.

The situation has worsened sharply in many rivers and streams. Along parts of the Emme river in Bernese Emmental, once-flowing sections now consist largely of stones, sand and rubble. The river is an important habitat for brown trout.

Staff from the cantonal fisheries inspectorate and volunteers from a local fishing club are carrying out emergency fish removals. Using electrofishing equipment, they carefully capture the fish and move them to cooler sections with more water. More than 50,000 fish have been relocated in the Emmental in recent weeks.

“The situation is extremely dramatic overall,” said Toni Liechti, president of the Emmental fishing lease association. “We are currently at the stage where we are losing the Emme as a fish habitat.”

People urged to avoid remaining pools

David Bittner, managing director of the Swiss Fishing Association, said the few remaining deep and cool stretches of water had become vital refuges. People should not disturb them, he said, and fishing and swimming should be stopped there, including swimming by dogs. Anyone who finds dead or dying fish should report them to the cantonal fisheries authority or the police.

People who want to help with emergency removals should contact their local fishing club or cantonal fishing association to find out whether assistance is needed. Rescue operations require permission from the cantonal fisheries authority.

Bittner said reports of fish deaths had come from across Switzerland. If the conditions continued for another two months, the country could face “the greatest catastrophe the Swiss fish world has ever seen”, he warned. He added that not all cantons had enough staff and resources to carry out large-scale rescue operations.

Recent thunderstorms are not enough to ease the situation, Bittner said. Prolonged rainfall is needed. The ground is completely dry, while many waterways have been straightened and built up. As a result, heavy rain could initially worsen conditions because water would run off quickly instead of replenishing the soil and waterways.

At the Emme, cold, fresh drinking water is being pumped from a groundwater extraction point into the river as an exceptional emergency measure. This prevents some sections from drying out completely. “Without this drinking water, the whole section would be completely dry,” Liechti said.