Swiss fisheries group expects millions of fish to die in heatwave

Millions of fish are expected to die in Swiss waters as a result of the heat and drought, David Bittner, managing director of the Swiss Fisheries Association, told Swiss public broadcaster SRF.

Bittner described the situation as catastrophic, citing reports from across the country of dried-up streams and dead fish and crayfish. He said two factors were combining: too little water and water that was too warm.

The estimate is based on population surveys showing how many fish live in stretches of water that have dried up or where dead fish have been found. The figures can then be extrapolated, Bittner said.

He warned that three quarters of Switzerland’s native fish species are endangered or threatened with extinction. Fish populations can take years to recover from an event of this scale, he said, adding that another hot summer would cause serious concern.

Bittner said the heatwave was exposing a chronic decline that had existed for some time. He criticised delays in upgrading hydropower facilities and restoring waterways, saying the deadlines were being missed by a wide margin.

According to Bittner, hydropower disrupts the natural dynamics of waterways, blocks fish migration and can cause artificial flood waves or insufficient water through fluctuating operations. Too little residual water and the construction of waterways also harm aquatic life.

The association supports expanding hydropower, Bittner said, arguing that examples show a balance can be found between environmental protection and use. The problem, he said, was not the lack of legal rules but the slow pace of implementation. The association is therefore discussing whether to launch a popular initiative to push for faster action.

Bittner said the association was not demanding new measures, but the consistent enforcement of existing laws. The association’s president, Council of States member Daniel Jositsch, has recently completed the required fishing qualification, he added, but direct access to the federal government was more important for the role than being an active angler.