Investigating the Decline of Sticklebacks in Lake Constance

The stickleback population in Lake Constance has dramatically dwindled after a period of explosive growth. First recorded in the early 1950s, they constituted over 90% of the fish in the lake at the beginning of this year.

Now, their presence is alarmingly scarce. To uncover the reasons behind this decline, scientists from the Fisheries Research Station and the Institute for Fisheries in Starnberg are launching a pilot project focused on trawl fishing.

Despite thorough investigations, no diseases or parasites have been identified as culprits for this mysterious die-off. This research aims to provide much-needed insights into the ecological changes affecting this important fish species.