50,000 May larvae: Return of the legendary Rhine fish in Poll!

50,000 May larvae: Return of the legendary Rhine fish in Poll!

Under the Rodenkirchen motorway bridge in Poll recently gathered politicians and two school classes on the banks of the Rhine to celebrate an important project for resettling the May in the Rhine. On this day, June 13, 2025, a big step was taken: Around 50,000 May larvae were suspended in the river. This campaign is part of a long -term initiative that aims at a sustainable return of the mayific to its traditional waters. According to Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger unexpectedly wear rubber boots with their formal clothing-a sign of the commitment that is also clear in the presentation.

The mayific is considered an anadrom hiking fish that used to live in large quantities in the Rhine. However, his stocks are almost extinct due to water pollution, overfishing and obstacles to hiking. The may> project , which has been going on since 2007, pursues the goal of bringing the existence of this fish back. NRW Agricultural Minister Silke Gorißen (CDU) pleased with the first adult animals that spawn in the Rhine. The Maifisch has a long tradition in Poll and used to be an important source of food for Cologne and the surrounding villages.

a joint project to revive species

The mayor project is not only promoted in North Rhine-Westphalia, but also across borders with partners from Hesse, Rhineland-Palatinate, Baden-Württemberg, the Netherlands and France. The larvae come from a breeding on the Garonne river in France, where parent animals are taken to afloat every year. The aim is to win around one million mayaved for the stocking in the Rhine every year. In this context, the Rheinische Fischereiverband took over the coordination How the State Fischerebenverband Baden-Württemberg emphasized.

The return of the mayific is part of a larger strategy for resettling local hiking fish in the Rhine, which also includes salmon, sea trout and nine -catching. These measures aim to improve water quality and restore the natural habitats of the fish. The first successes are already visible: Sights of MaiFische in fish passes show that the fish are on the way to their spawning sites.

a step towards self -regulation

Andreas Scharbert, the project manager, expresses itself optimistically about the upcoming developments. He sees the main goal in creating a self -regulating stock in the Rhine. Historically, it was widespread in the Rhine system before 1960; However, the stocks have decreased sharply until they disappeared almost completely in the 2000s. Studies and fishing experts are working intensively to monitor the natural reproduction of the mayifies and increase the population. Results in recent years have shown a positive development that is due to the repeated larvae.

The project is not only important for the ecology of the Rhine, but also for local culture. Traditionally, the Maifisch was an essential part of the Poller Maifestes, which has its roots in the may fan. The Poller Maigeloog association is actively committed to the preservation of this festival and the identity of the region.

Overall, the MaiFischesprojekt reflects the common desire to revive the Rhine as a habitat for numerous fish species and at the same time protect the cultural traditions of the region. The memorial of the past serves as a drive to preserve a living aquatic biodiversity.