On Friday, June 20, several swimmers at Brombachsee were injured: A catfish measuring about two meters in length and weighing 90 kilograms reportedly bit at least five people, according to police reports. After the swimming area was initially cordoned off, gunshots were fired, and the fish was retrieved from the water.
The police shared the unusual incident on social media, where the news is making waves. Hundreds of comments have accumulated under the post, with users repeatedly expressing their lack of understanding. Many are unclear why the animal had to be killed. However, an expert stated in an interview that the operation was proportional and appropriate.
According to the „Mittelfranken Police Headquarters“, the sunny weather and the nearby „Burning Beach Festival“ in Allmannsdorf attracted many visitors to the water. With the area bustling, the fish posed a safety risk to swimmers, according to the officers. A bite could have caused panic for some, and, in the worst-case scenario, someone could have drowned. Therefore, it was clear: The fish had to be removed.
After the swimming area was initially closed off, the emergency services consulted with the local angling club to determine the next steps. Catching the fish could have taken days, so they ultimately resorted to using a weapon.
However, the shots only injured the fish, the police clarify. The shots were actually only intended to drive it away. Fishermen present finally retrieved the catfish and then killed it, the Fischereiverband Mittelfranken e.V. confirmed in an interview with the Newsroom-Team on Monday.
With a fish that measures two meters in length, it’s understandable that some swimmers might react with panic, explains Hans Padberg, an ichthyology expert with the „Mittelfranken Fishing Association“. The mouth of a catfish can easily accommodate an arm or even a leg. To prevent a mass panic onsite, given the numerous visitors, the fish had to be removed. The police operation and the actions taken were therefore entirely justified, emphasizes Padberg.
Expert: The fish was just following its natural instincts
Alternatives, in his opinion, would have been completely disproportionate. Since fish cannot simply be relocated to another area after being removed, the only option would have been to relocate the festival. In such cases, it is also about proportionality, the expert states.
Fortunately, such incidents are rare. Across Europe, only about two minor attacks are reported annually - and exclusively in the summer when the animals are spawning. It is only then that they exhibit more aggressive behavior, explains Padberg. About three or four weeks ago, a female must have laid eggs near the swimming platform: "Otherwise, he wouldn't be reacting this way."
Therefore, the catfish felt threatened by the swimmers and, according to the expert, wanted to protect its offspring.
Although the operation was properly conducted in consultation with the local fishing club - the holders of fishing rights – it is still regrettable, Padberg believes. The animal was, after all, just following its natural instincts and was not to blame for the incident. Since the catfish is not otherwise a dangerous predator, swimmers need not worry. The fish merely has rasping teeth – a bite typically results in abrasions, similar to those from falling on asphalt, rather than deep flesh wounds.
The fish will now be repurposed and made into patties at the „Altmühlsee-Fischerfest“, explains the fishing association.