Lake of Constance

Photo-report in Austria exploring the consequences of invasive species in the Lake of Constance for the local environment and economy. Fishermen, an already dwindling profession, are severely affected.

Austrian fisherman Franz Blum on his boat in the Lake of Constance. Blum comes from a family of fishermen, but today he barely earns enough money from his work as fish stocks have crashed.
Austrian fisherman Franz Blum on his boat in the Lake of Constance. Blum comes from a family of fishermen, but today he barely earns enough money from his work as fish stocks have crashed.
Franz Blum's workspace at home.
Franz Blum's workspace at home.
Franz Blum with his boats in the bay of Fussach, on the Austrian shore of the lake.
Franz Blum with his boats in the bay of Fussach, on the Austrian shore of the lake.
A "Schleie", a local fish species, tangled in the net.
A "Schleie", a local fish species, tangled in the net.
Blum releases the "Schleie" from his net. On that day, it will remain the only fish he will catch.
Blum releases the "Schleie" from his net. On that day, it will remain the only fish he will catch.
The "Schleie" in a plastic box on Blum's boat.
The "Schleie" in a plastic box on Blum's boat.
Blum releases the singular fish he caught in an enclosed space in the bay. "Transporting one fish back home is not worth it," he says.
Blum releases the singular fish he caught in an enclosed space in the bay. "Transporting one fish back home is not worth it," he says.
Today, Blum is the youngest Austrian fisherman to still work full-time in the profession. All others, he says, have taken up other work or retired, as fishing doesn't bring in sufficient money anymore.
Today, Blum is the youngest Austrian fisherman to still work full-time in the profession. All others, he says, have taken up other work or retired, as fishing doesn't bring in sufficient money anymore.
Cormorants, an invasive bird species, near the shores of the Lake of Constance. The birds have contributed to the dwindling stocks of major fish species and destroy vegetation on the shore.
Cormorants, an invasive bird species, near the shores of the Lake of Constance. The birds have contributed to the dwindling stocks of major fish species and destroy vegetation on the shore.