Drought forces Belgian agency to rescue fish from shallow canal

Agentschap Natuur & Bos (ANB) intervened to rescue fish from the Oud Kanaal in Bree, where critically low water levels threatened their survival. The prolonged drought has severely reduced the water supply to the canal, which is normally fed by the Zuid-Willemsvaart. This led to dangerously warm water with insufficient oxygen, posing a high risk of mass fish death.

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We do this reluctantly, but it is necessary.

"We don't like doing this, but it's necessary," an ANB representative stated. Biologists and ANB staff worked together to catch the remaining fish, including carp, tench, eel, perch, and roach. These fish were then released into the Zuid-Willemsvaart, chosen for its currently suitable habitat and conditions.

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At one point there was so little water that it warmed up considerably and also contained hardly any oxygen.

"Our biologist assessed that the habitats and conditions there are currently good enough for the fish to be released safely," said regional manager Koen Thijs. While the ANB hopes fish populations will naturally repopulate the Oud Kanaal as water levels rise, they may also actively reintroduce fish later.

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There was therefore a very high risk that the fish would die there. That's why we, together with our fishery biologists, organized a rescue operation to catch the remaining fish.

Some local fishermen voiced skepticism on social media, suggesting recent water level increases were sufficient. Thijs acknowledged water levels fluctuate but explained the decision was made to err on the side of caution due to the ongoing drought and lack of rain. "We are playing it safe," he noted, emphasizing the stress the rescue causes the fish but deeming it essential to avert a "drama."

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Most of the fish were released into the adjacent Zuid-Willemsvaart.