Europe's summer drought threatens fish in rivers, lakes and farms

Extreme drought and heat across Europe are pushing fish in rivers, lakes and aquaculture facilities toward collapse, with impacts spreading from Serbia and Slovenia to Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania and Hungary. In northern Serbia, water levels in a Danube side channel have fallen to small ponds, leaving juvenile fish with limited space and temperatures above 30°C (86°F). Fisherman Dusan Jovanovic warned that if the fish start dying, they may die “all at once.” The broader crisis is also compounding losses from strained energy and water supplies, damaged crops and reduced river traffic and trade. In Hungary, about 99% of land is under severe or extreme drought, and the ministry said 1,588 hectares of fish ponds dried out, killing nearly 280 metric tons across 20 farms.