Rétimajor fish mortality due to drought and water scarcity

Extreme heat and prolonged drought have caused the death of approximately 150 to 185 tons of fish in the Rétimajor and Rétszilas pond systems in Hungary. Aranyponty Halászati Zrt. reports that the economic loss is estimated at nearly 165 million forints.

The crisis is driven by critically low water levels and rising temperatures. The ponds, which serve as a significant Natura 2000 and Ramsar international wetland site, have lacked meaningful water replenishment for six to eight weeks. This environmental degradation threatens the habitat of approximately 220 bird species.

A primary cause of the mortality is the distribution of water within the hydrological system. While the fish ponds are located in the lower section of the system and suffer from scarcity, agricultural irrigation continues uninterrupted in the upper sections. This practice reportedly violates the legal order of priority during water shortages, which dictates that animal life and nature conservation should take precedence over agricultural irrigation.