Who else, aside from me, partakes in the swimming at the bathing lake, as stated by Wels and Co.?
In the serene waters of our lakes, fears of encounters with predatory fish such as Wels catfish and pike often loom large. However, according to Professor Robert Arlinghaus, a fisheries expert from Berlin's Humboldt University, such incidents are extremely rare and unlikely.
Professor Arlinghaus, who heads a research group at the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB), studies freshwater fish and sustainable management of fish populations in water bodies. His research focuses broadly on fish behavior, ecology, and fisheries management, yet he emphasizes that predatory fish like Wels and pike do not commonly pose a threat to humans in the water.
The Wels, a large freshwater fish, is typically found in protected, dark areas where people don't swim, not on the brightly lit beach. In most lakes, especially in Brandenburg, visibility is poor, making encounters even less likely. It's best to avoid large clusters of aquatic plants to prevent accidentally dislodging them with your feet, as they serve as important fish habitats and are crucial for the ecosystem.
In the specific case of the Brombachsee in Middle Franconia (Bavaria), an isolated attack by a Wels on bathers occurred this summer. However, Professor Arlinghaus asserts that fears about being attacked by Wels or pike are unfounded. The Wels has no teeth, just tiny brush-like teeth, and if a swimmer is unlucky enough to be attacked, there are no significant injuries.
Pike might be hiding in the reeds or underwater plants, observing swimmers. But underwater, a pike never attacks bathers or divers and instead ignores them or swims away if annoyed. If a swimmer's toe touches the water from a jetty, a pike might mistakenly attack it, but this is an extremely rare occurrence.
When entering a body of water, it's a disturbance that might not be ecologically relevant with single occurrences. At bathing spots, fish such as roach and minnows may swim visibly around swimmers. Professor Arlinghaus states that when swimming in a lake, various fish species such as roach, pike, bream, and even Wels, may be present nearby.
To minimize the uprooting of aquatic plants and the stirring up of sediment, it's better to enter the water at sandy beaches. The effects of sunscreen on plankton and the Trittschaeden on the shore are likely stronger effects than just swimming.
In conclusion, the likelihood of predatory fish attacks on swimmers in lakes, including from Wels catfish and pike, is extremely low. These species do not exhibit behaviors that target humans as prey according to the current scientific understanding presented by Professor Arlinghaus and associates. So, next time you take a dip, remember to enjoy the serenity of the water and let go of any unwarranted fears.
Other scientific fields like health-and-wellness, fitness-and-exercise, and environmental-science are essential for reducing fears and ensuring a safe experience when swimming in lakes. Adequate knowledge of aquatic plants and their importance as fish habitats can help prevent uprooting them and maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Regular exercise and physical activities, such as swimming, offer numerous health benefits that contribute to overall wellness. Furthermore, environmental-science can provide insights into the impacts of sunscreen on plankton and proper beach etiquette to minimize disturbances to the aquatic ecosystem.
