Hungary redirects fish pond water to combat agricultural drought

The Interprofessional Organization for Aquaculture and Fishing in Hungary (MA-HAL) is collaborating with national water management authorities to redirect water from fish ponds to drought-stricken agricultural lands and wetlands. Traditionally, water from these ponds is discharged into canals and rivers following fish harvests. However, under the new initiative, the remaining water will be used for irrigation and habitat conservation.

MA-HAL aims to expand this program nationwide to all managed ponds, which hold a total capacity of nearly 300 million cubic meters of water. Nándor Puskás, head of MA-HAL, noted that these ponds served as a vital water source for many living beings during the 2026 period.

The move comes as severe drought and heatwaves have significantly lowered river levels in Hungary, impacting fluvial transport and the operations of the Paks nuclear power plant. While recent rainfall has eased the immediate severity of the drought, Prime Minister Péter Magyar acknowledged the urgency of the situation, stating that water management improvements should have begun years ago.