Thomas FriedrichSupervisor: O.Univ.Prof. Dr.phil. Mathias Jungwirth

812.084 MasterseminarBOKU - University of Natural Resources and Applied Life SciencesInstitute of Hydrobiology and Aquatic Ecosystem Management Vienna, Austria

Historical Distribution, current Situation and future Potential of Sturgeons in Austrian Rivers

- Current situation and objective

- Method

- Historical distribution, current situation and potential in

Salzach & Inn system

Danube in upper Austria

Danube in lower Austria

Thaya & March system

other tributaries

Drava

Mur

- Summary

- Conclusions & open questions

Contents

2

Current situation and objective

3

- Very little existing knowledge about actual historic distribution ofvarious sturgeon species in Austrian waters.

- The last remaining sturgeon species in Austria is highly endangered.

- Increased stocking and catch reports of native and non-native sturgeonspecies in recent years.

- Further intensification of sturgeon aquaculture will increase this trend.

- Successrate of stocking is unknown.

- Little knowledge about habitat use in Austrian rivers.

Objective: A synopsis containing as much available dataabout sturgeons in Austria as possible

Method

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- Analysis of historical texts, catch reports and sturgeon preparates of the NHM

- Search for recent reports of sturgeon catches and stocking through fishingshops, governmental institutions, fishing magazines, internet platforms, privatefish ecologists, fishermen and scientific organizations

- Determination of species and origin of stocked/caught fish in the variouscatchments

- Interpretation of gained data

Inn & SalzachHistoric records

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- Reports of catches from A. ruthenus (1890 - 1952) in the Inn upstream toRosenheim (MAIER, 1908; MARGREITER, 1927; FISCHER, 1952; BROD1980; STREIBL).

- A catch of A. gueldenstaedtii is reported for the area around Ering in theyear 1746 (BROD, 1980).

- Around the year 1800 there are records for a specimen of H. huso nearReichersberg (FREUDLSPERGER, 1936).

- A. ruthenus is claimed by some authors to occur rarely in the Salzach(AIGNER, 1859; PEYRER, 1874), while others say it occured often(FREUDLSPERGER, 1936). There is one reported catch in the area aroundLaufen (SIEBOLD, 1863).

- One reported catch of H. huso around Tittmonig and one questionablecatch of A. gueldenstaedtii in the same area (FREUDLSPERGER, 1936;HOCHLEITHNER, 1996; RATSCHAN & SCHMALL, 2011).

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Inn & Salzach Stocking & Catch

Inn above PP Stammham Inn below PP Stammham Mouth of SalzachA. transmontanus 2002 1

A. baerii 2003 12004 2

A. gueldenstaedtii 2004 1species unknown 2003/2004 2

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Inn & Salzach Potential

44 + 14,3km13km

12,6km

16,4km

14,2km

- The lower Inn has many powerplants and is therefore very smallfragmented.

- Rhithralization through hydromorphological changes in the Salzach downstream of Laufen.

- All recent catches occured in the most upstream section of the Inn.

DanubeHistoric records

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- A. nudiventris was said migrate up to Komorn and to only seldom enterthe Austrian Danube (FITZINGER & HECKEL, 1836). There is a reportedcatch near Vienna in the year 1936 (ZAUNER, 1997) and another catch nearRegensburg, Bavaria (F & H, 1836), however the exact species of thisspecimen remains doubtful (SIEBOLD, 1863).

- A. gueldenstaedtii is reported as rare in the Austrian Danube, the farthestupstream record being a specimen near Regensburg 1679 (F & H, 1836).

- A. stellatus seems to have been the rarest sturgeon species in Austria(F & H, 1836; MOHR, 1952). SIEBOLD (1863) mentions the only record ofthe species in Bavaria in the Isar.

DanubeHistoric records

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- A. ruthenus is stated as frequent in the lower Austrian Danube (F & H,1836) with many catches near Vienna 1831 – 1960. In upper Austria andBavaria some authors claim that it was a common species (F & H, 1836;HECKEL & KNER, 1857; KINZELBACH, 1994) while others say it was rare(LORI, 1871; KERSCHNER, 1956).Reports from catches range up to Ulm, the earliest record being in 1430 (F& H, 1836; SIEBOLD, 1863; JÄCKEL, 1864; KERSCHNER, 1956; WACHA,1956; KINZELBACH, 1994; STREIBL).

- H. huso was said to be rare in the Austrian Danube by F & H (1836),however they point out that there were plenty of them in the middle ages.GAMLITSCHEK (1897) mentions catches near Tulln, other reports of singlespecimen come from Straubing in 1692 (F & H, 1836) and Vilshofen in 1605(WACHA, 1956).

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Danube upper Austria Stocking & Catch

Aschach Ottensheim Abwinden-Asten Wallsee-Mitterkirchen Ybbs-PersenbeugA. gueldenstaedtii 1996 unknown qty.

A. ruthenus

1984 11997 42002 32005 12006 42007 42008 22011 8

hybridunknown 1

2003 12006/07 5

A. baerii 1999 12006/07 1

Polyodon spathula 1993 12003 1

species unknown2002 12010 12011 1 1

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Danube upper Austria Stocking & Catch

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Danube upper Austria Potential

27 + 4km

40,1km15,7km

26,9 + 3,2km23,5 + 3,1km

33,8km

- The impoundment Aschach is the home of the only self-sustainingpopulation of A. ruthenus in Austria, with most catches directly below thepowerplant Jochenstein.

- Hybridization with A. baerii poses a threat to autochthonous sterletpopulations.

- Only small fragments of the tributaries are still connected to the Danube.

- Recent catch of 2 sterlet specimen stocked in Germany (Schwarze Laber ~150km upstream)

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Danube lower Austria Stocking & Catch

Melk Altenwörth Greifenstein Freudenau National Park Area

A. ruthenus

unknown unknown qty.1994 700 17002001 1000

2002-2005 7000 30002010 5

A. gueldenstaedtii 2005 300

A. ruthenus

unknown 11980 11986 11888 11990 21999 22000 62003 12011 1

hybrid 2002 1

A. baerii

unknown 1?2005 12008 1?2011 1

A. gueldenstaedtii 2001 1

species unknown

2002 12005 1

2009/2010 1 1 92011 1 3

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Danube lower Austria Stocking & Catch

15

Danube lower Austria Potential

98,6 + 104,8km

27,8km

30,3km

57,7km

22,1 + 3km

- Most reported catches below the powerplants Altenwörth (mostly alienspecies) and Freudenau (mostly sterlets).

- No catch reports above Freudenau after intensive stocking.

- Middle to late 80s catch of a few small specimen of A. ruthenus nearKlosterneuburg (before construction of PP Freudenau).

- No reports about sterlet catches from the Hungarian section upstream ofGabcikovo (GUTI, pers. comm.).

- Still high potential in the National Park/March/Thaya system.

March & ThayaHistoric records

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- Both A. gueldenstaedtii, A. ruthenus and H. huso are reported in the March and Thaya upstream to Lundenburg/Landshut (HEINRICH, 1856; JEITTELES, 1864; KRAFT, 1874; REMES 1902).

- MAHEN (1927) states that H. huso was rare in the March.

- Catches of H. huso in the area around Landshut are recorded by REMES (1902) and ZBORIL & ABSOLON (1916).

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March & Thaya Potential

31,5 + 73,3 + 98,6km

- Both epi- and metapotamal character offer a greater possibility of habitat-availability for all life stages.

- Longest connected, freeflowing river system in Austria.

- Relatively few human impacts on the hydromorphology.

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Other Tributaries Historic records | Stocking & Catch | Potential

Aschach Enns

Polyodon spathula1996 1

unknown 1

- A. ruthenus was stated to rarely occur in the mouth of the river Enns (ANONYMOUS, 1884).

- No reports of other rivers could be found except for a few stocked fish in the river Vienna (FRAUENFELD, 1871).

- Only very small stretches of Traun, Enns and Ybbs are still connected tothe Danube.

- Many powerplants and other barriers in the lower sections of these rivers,therefore very small fragmented.

- Rhithralization through hydromorphological changes.

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DravaHistoric records | Stocking & Catch

Rosegg Feistritz Ferlach Annabrücke Völkermarkt Schwabegg Lavamünd

A. ruthenus

1982 130 1301983 1501987 70 3001991 1111995 902005 502010 300

A. gueldenstaedtii 2010 unknown qty.

A. ruthenus 1982 - 1993 3 2 5 11 17 4 31994 - 2003 1 1

species unknown 1994 - 2008 1 8 58 2 3

- A. ruthenus was stated to occur in the Drava by MOJSISOVICS (1897) andHECKEL & KNER (1857), although its exact distribution within the Dravaremains unknown.

- Various oral reports by fishermen about juveniles in the impoundmentAnnabrücke (HONSIG-ERLENBURG & FRIEDL, 1999).

- Discovery of a head capsule of a 5cm specimen 1998 in the impoundmentVölkermarkt (HONSIG-ERLENBURG & FRIEDL, 1999).

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DravaPotential

10,2km

13,4km

9,6km

14,2km 23,8km

16,3km 6,1km

10km

- As the various stretches are very short and the existing free-flowing sections areeven shorter the Austrian Drava is rather unlikely to support a self- sustainingpopulation of sterlet.

- Possible exceptions: impoundments Annabrücke, Völkermarkt and Lavamünd.

- It is not sure that A. ruthenus ever occured in the Austrian Drava.

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MurHistoric records | Stocking & Catch

Murau Graz Spielfeld

species unknown(A. ruthenus?) 2001 unknown qty.

A. baerii2005 12010 2

- A. ruthenus was stated by MOJSISOVICS (1897) to occur in the Mur asfar upstream as Graz (one reported catch in the Andritzbach 1890).

- A. gueldenstaedtii was stated for the area around Legrad (GLOWACKI,1885).

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MurPotential

7,5km3,9km5,3km

4,7km 5,5km

2,6km12,3km

21 + 110km

4,2km

6,7km

- Many powerplants and other barriers therefore very smallfragmented.

- Rhithralization through hydromorphological changes in the area around Graz.

- High density of aquaculture and fishing lakes in catchment.

- Last stretch on the Austrian - Slovenian border offers a total lenght of ~130km and is connected to the Drava.

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SummaryHistoric catches

A. gueldenstaedtii A. nudiventris A. ruthenus A. stellatus H. huso species unknown

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SummaryRecent catches 1980 - 2011

Danube80 ind.

Total221 ind.

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SummaryFragmentation and hotspots

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SummaryConclusions

- Caught fish are in very good condition

- Most catches occur directly below or a few kilometers downstream ofpowerplants

- Efforts for protection and reintroduction should be bilateral (Austria, Germany, Slovakia, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Croatia)

- The Jochenstein population is a key factor regarding sustainedreintroduction into other river stretches

- Management of alien and extinct sturgeon species in some form seemsinevitable

- Reintroduction and stocking has to be scientifically monitored

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SummaryOpen questions

- Identification of spawning sites and migration patterns in Jochenstein?

- Identification of possible spawning sites in other stretches?

- Effectiveness of stocking adults?homing factor -> stocking of fry/juveniles on spawning grounds a better solution?

- Possibilty of establishment of alien sturgeon populations?

- Sensitization of fishermen?Long snout-> sterlet short snout-> sturgeon

Jänner 12 28

CitesAnonym, 1884: Rechenschaftsbericht des oberösterreichischen Fischerei- Vereines über das Jahr 1883. Mitteilungendes oberösterreichischen Fischerei- Vereines Jg. 4, Nr. 14: 87-91 Aigner, J. 1859: Salzburg`s Fische. Jahresbericht des vaterländischen Museums Carolino- Augusteum der Landeshauptstadt Salzburg. Brod, W. M. 1980: Historische Streiflichter auf Fisch und Fischerei. Im Dienste der Bayrischen Fischerei- 125 Jahre Landesfischereiverband Bayern e. V.: 173 - 237 aus H& W 1997 Fisch und Fang, 2000: Sterlet im Traunsee. Nr. 12/2000, S. 14Fischer, H. 1952: Die Störe. Österreichs Fischerei 5. 1952 Seite 251Fitzinger, J. A. und J. Heckel 1836: Monographische Darstellung der Gattung Acipenser. Annalen des Wiener Museums der Naturgeschichte, 1. Band, Wien. Frauenfeld, G. R. v, 1871: Die Wirbeltierfauna Niederösterreichs, Blätter des Vereins für Landeskunde von Niederösterreich 5, 108- 123Freudlsperger H. 1936: Kurze Fischereigeschichtedes Erzstiftes Salzburg, Mitteilungen der Gesellschaft für Salzburger Landeskunde. Jg. 76, 77, Teil1+2Haidvogl, G. und H. Waidbacher 1997: Ehemalige Fischfauna an ausgewählten österreichischen Fließgewässern. Universität für Bodenkultur, Institut für Hydrobiologie, Wien.Heckel, J. & R. Kner 1857: Die Süßwasserfische der österreichischen Monarchie mit Rücksicht auf die angränzenden Länder. Verlag von Willhelm Engelmann, Leipzig. Heinrich, A. 1856: Mährens und k.k. Schlesiens Fische, Reptilien und Vögel. BrunnGamlitschek, A. 1897: Die Stadt Tulln und ihre Fischwässer von ehegestern und heute, aus Mitteilungen des österreichischen Fischerei- Vereins 17: 26- 33Glowacki, J. Ed. 1885: Die Fische der Drau und ihres Gebietes. 16. Jahresbericht des Steierm. Landes Untergymnasiums zu Pettau, Pettau. Honsig- Erlenburg, W. und M. Friedl 1999: Zum Vorkommen des Sterlets (A. ruthenus L.) in Kärnten. Österreichs Fischerei, 52:129-133Honsig- Erlenburg, w. und W. Petutschnig, 2002: Fische, Neunauge, Flusskrebse, Grossmuscheln. Natur Kärnten, Sonderreihe des Naturwissenschaftlichen Vereins für Kärnten, Klagenfurt.Hugo, A. 1886: Jagdzeitung 29Jäckel, A. J. 1864: Die Fische Bayerns. Ein Beitrag zur Kentniss deutscher Süßwasserfische, Regensburg.Jeitteles, L. H. 1864: Die Fische der March bei Olmütz, aus Jahresbericht über das kaiserlich.- königliche Gymnasium in Olmütz während des Schuljahres 1864Jungwirth, M., Schmutz, S. und H. Waidbacher 1989: Fischökologische Fallstudie Inn- Fischerbiologische Untersuchung im Hinblick auf Bewirtschaftungsfragen. Fischerei- Revierausschuß Innsbruck Stadt und Land, Wien.Kerschner, T., 1956: Der Linzer Markt für Süßwasserfische insbesondere in seiner letzten Blüte vor dem ersten Weltkrieg Kinzelbach, R. 1994: Ein weiterer alter Nachweis des Sterlet in der Baden-württembergischen Donau. Biologie der Donau.Kiwek, F., 1995: Sterlet Programm. Österreichs Fischerei 48: 2-3Kraft, C. 1874: Die neuesten Erhebungen über die Zustände der Fischerei in den im Reichsrate vertretenen Königreichen und Ländern. Mitt. a. d. Gebiete d. Statistik Jg. XX/IV, Wien.Lori 1871: Die Fische in der Umgegend von Passau. Beiträge zur Fauna NiederbayernsMahen, J. 1927: Castecna revise ryb dunajske obiasti. Sbornik Klubu Pirodovedeckeho v Brne, Vol. 9. Margreiter, H., 1927: Ein Sterlet im Inn gefangen. der Tiroler Fischer 2, S.94Mohr, E., 1952: Der Stör . WestarpWissenschafften- Verlagsgesellschaft, 65 S.Mojsisovics, A. v. M. 1897: Das Thierleben der österreichisch-ungarischen Tiefebenen. Alfred Hödler, Wien.Österreichs Fischereiwirtschaft, 1936: Fang eines großen Störes in Wien. IV Jahrgang; S. 69.OÖ Landesfischereiverband 1996:Mitteilungen des OÖ LFV. Juni 1996, Linz.OÖ Landesfischereiverband 1996:Mitteilungen des OÖ LFV. Dezember 1996, Linz.Peyrer, C. 1874: Fischereibetrieb und Fischereirecht in Oesterreich. Wien, AckerbauministeriumReinartz, R. 2008: Artenhilfsprogramm Sterlet- Abschlussbericht 2004 - 2007. Landesfischereiverband Bayern, Münster.Remes, 1902: Die Fische der MarchSchmall B. und C. Ratschan 2011: Die historische und aktuelle Fischfauna der Salzach - ein Vergleich mit dem Inn. Beitrag Naturkunde Oberösterreichs 21, 55- 191Siebold C. T. E., 1863: Die Süßwasserfische von Mitteleuropa. Verlag von Willhelm Engelmann, Leipzig. Spindler, T., 1997 : Fischfauna in Österreich. Bundesministeriumfür Umwelt, Jugend und Familie, Wien, 148 S.Streibl, D. (ohne Datum): Über den Sterlet. Privatarchiv Huber, vermutlich aus AFZ. Wacha, G., 1956: Fische und Fischhandel im alten Linz, Naturkundliches Jahrbuch der Stadt Linz Zauner, G., 1997: Acipenseriden in Österreich. Österreichs Fischerei, 50: 183-187.Zborˇil, J. & K. Absolon 1916: Zoologicka´ pozorova´nı´ z okolı´ hodonı´nske´ho (Zoological observation from the Hodonı´n region).Cˇ asopis moravske´ho musea zemske´ho 15: 3–12.

Additional Data: Hans-Peter Angerer, Josef Dellinger, Jürgen Eberstaller, Robert Elsbacher, Georg Fürnweger, Martin Hochleithner, Wolfgang Honsig-Erlenburg, Lucia Jirku, Mathias Jungwirth, Rudolf Kovarik, Harald Kromp, Heinz Machacek, Matthias Maier, Günther Parthl, Wolfgang Petrouschek, Alfred Pleyer, Siegfried Pilgerstorfer, Clemens Ratschan, Heinz Renner, Klaus-Jürgen Rudowsky, Walter Saltzmann, Ursula Scheiblechner, Bernhard Schmall, Herwig Waidbacher, Franz Wiesmayer, Christian Wiesner, Gerald Zauner, Bernhard Zens

Thanks for your attention!

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If you've ever had a chance to look into the eyes of a sturgeon,there are unfathomable depths there that take you backmillennia; they take you back ages and ages ago. And havinglooked into the eyes of a sturgeon, you can fully understand thatthese animals swam practically unchanged from the way theyare today when dinosaurs walked the earthChristopher Letts, Hudson River Educator