Europe Faces Growing Threat of Desertification Amid Severe Drought

Small boats remain idle on cracked ground in a side channel of the Danube River in northern Serbia, where water levels have receded into a couple of shrinking ponds due to extreme drought and heat. Fisherman Dusan Jovanovic noted that the fish are at risk because the water is insufficient and its temperature exceeds 30 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit). "If they start to die, they will all die at once," Jovanovic stated. Persistent drought and high temperatures this summer have affected ecosystems and businesses across the region, impacting areas from Slovenia to Serbia, as well as fish farms in Bosnia, the Czech Republic, Romania, and Hungary. The fish industry has suffered significant losses, estimated in the millions of euros, compounding existing challenges related to energy and water supplies, crop failures, and disruptions in river traffic and trade. Countries and businesses are now considering strategies to mitigate the effects of future extreme weather events linked to human-induced climate change. According to Hungary’s national meteorological service, approximately 99% of the country's land is currently experiencing severe or extreme drought conditions. Desertification threatens much of the Great Hungarian Plain, particularly affecting Hungary's 27,000 hectares (67,000 acres) of fish ponds. The Agriculture and Food Economy Ministry reported that persistent heat and water shortages have led to 1,588 hectares (3,924 acres) of ponds drying out, resulting in the death of nearly 280 metric tons of fish across 20 farms. The estimated revenue loss from this damage amounts to 1.3 billion forints ($4.2 million). Producers indicate that it could take years to replace the lost fish. Some operators have had to drain one pond to divert water to save fish in another, according to the Hungarian Aquaculture and Fisheries Inter-branch Organization. In Romania, fish farmers, particularly those cultivating carp, are facing challenges as this year’s heatwave follows severe droughts in 2023 and 2024, with ongoing impacts, according to Catalin Platon, president of ROMFISH National Association of Fish Producers. Platon explained that the production cycle for carp is three to four years, meaning losses in 2023 will affect production in subsequent years. He criticized water-use policies that prioritized agricultural irrigation during previous droughts, leaving insufficient water for fish. Fish farmers in the Czech Republic have implemented emergency measures, such as reducing or suspending feeding to conserve oxygen, aerating ponds, or draining them when necessary. Officials from the Czech Fishing Association stated that sustained rainfall could alleviate the immediate crisis, but long-term strategies are needed to retain more water in the landscape. Jan Sokolik, a technician at the Rybarstvi Trebon fishery, mentioned that some ponds with low water levels have already been fished, and planning for larger ponds is underway. In southeast Bosnia, trout farmer Veljko Budjen reported that hot and dry summers have created significant challenges for the region, which is known for its trout restaurants. He noted that trout, being a cold-water fish, require cool water with ample oxygen, leading to reduced production and feeding during summer months. One potential solution he mentioned is adding liquid oxygen to the water in summer. Emergency teams in Slovenia have been pumping water into Lake Pristava to prevent a mass suffocation of fish due to low oxygen levels and overgrowth of water chestnut. Firefighters have introduced 8 million liters (2 million gallons) of water, but concerns remain about whether it will suffice. In Serbia, fishermen have suggested relocating endangered fish from the Danube side channel in Novi Sad as the only viable solution. Jovanovic remarked on the extreme temperatures this year, stating, "No one can remember anything like this."