Cologne angler catches mystical sea lamprey in the Rhine!

Cologne angler catches mystical sea lamprey in the Rhine!

What's going on in Cologne? A very special catch surprised the fishing community in the cathedral city. Cologne hobby angler Stefan Scheer caught a sea lamprey in the waters of the Rhine - a spotted colleague that normally lives in the depths of the Pacific Ocean. This exclusive catch occurred in the Merkenich area, where Scheer targeted zander, catfish, perch and pike with his fishing rod. Now a very extraordinary specimen has joined his collection!

Stefan Scheer has been fishing for 13 years and also works as a reader reporter. For him, this catch will remain in his memory, especially since the sea lamprey (a jawless vertebrate of the lamprey family) is protected all year round. Out of respect for nature, he let the fish swim again instead of taking it home as food. “Such a catch is simply very special for me,” said Scheer, who compared the animal to a creature from the film “Men in Black,” especially because of its circular, toothy mouth.

The fascination of the sea lamprey

The sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) has a specific eel-like body shape without pectoral or pelvic fins and can reach a length of between 70 and 120 cm, making it one of the larger fish in our waters. The color varies from light gray to greenish and is often decorated with dark spots or marbling. These fish are anadromous, which means that they move up freshwater rivers to reproduce, but can also make some impressive migrations of up to 850 km, for example to the spawning area in the Rhine near Basel.

The reproductive season extends from May to July, with females able to lay up to 240,000 eggs. The sea lamprey's spawning journey often begins in winter, and this means that the larvae, which gnaw on algae and bacteria, also face major challenges, as the water quality and the river structure are severely affected by human intervention. According to the new Red List, sea lampreys are now threatened with extinction and their populations are threatened by water pollution and river straightening.

Ecological importance and protective measures

In addition, sea lampreys play an important role in the ecosystem as parasitic creatures that feed on fish such as cod, mackerel and salmon. Their spread in North America has already caused serious ecological disruption, and their habitats are also threatened in Europe. Therefore, protective measures such as restoring the continuity of rivers and creating refuges are of great importance to ensure the survival of the species.

Stefan Scheer's catch not only brings a touch of thrill, but also reminds us of the importance of protecting our water and the species that live in it. With a good hand and the necessary respect for nature, he will surely have many more exciting fishing experiences!

For more information on this fascinating topic, you can read the articles from Express, Wikipedia or Federal Agency for Nature Conservation browse.