Minister Jo Brouns helps release weatherfish into the Schulensbroek
On Monday 16 June, Flemish Minister for the Environment and Agriculture Jo Brouns assisted our employees, amid considerable media interest, in releasing young weatherfish into the Schulensbroek in Herk-de-Stad.
The weatherfish has suffered greatly since the 1950s due to a rapidly changing water landscape. More recently, climate change has also caused further drying out of the habitat of this fish species. A species protection programme aims to turn the tide for this endangered species. The fish needs a suitable habitat: the weatherfish thrives in natural, wet and plant-rich stream valleys. The Flemish government is working on this in its “Blue Deal” programme.
However, because the remaining populations are so small, inbreeding has occurred, weakening the species. For the past five years, we have been crossbreeding Flemish weatherfish with genetically healthier Dutch fish, with increasing success. The result of this breeding programme is being released in areas that are suitable for the weatherfish and in areas where the fish has traditionally been found.
In Schulensbroek, various strategies to protect the species come together nicely. Between 2016 and 2023, the LIFE Delta project ran there, with VMM, Natuurpunt, ANB and Regionaal Landschap Haspengouw en Voeren as partners. VMM manages the Schulensmeer and the surrounding largest streams and canals. The local Natuurpunt association De Vrienden van het Schulensbroek manages the surrounding nature reserve of around 550 hectares. The breeding of weatherfish in Linkebeek is supported by B4B, another European-funded LIFE project.