The ProtectFish German project partners from the University of Koblenz have gained significant media attention for their research & field work in the Nister river (near Koblenz, Germany).
PhD-student Maren Paulmann and PD Dr. Carola Winkelmann, showcased their work on the regional public broadcast SWR (Südwestrundfunk), explaining the recent results achieved.
The Nister river – an important case study for ProtectFish
As reporterd earlier here, the Nister river – located in the German Westerwald region – was a jewel among the waters of the low mountain ranges until 1997-98. At least 23 fish species were counted as present in its waters, before biodiversity started to decline.
To study the extent of the impact of cormorants on the current alarming situation for protected fish species, an experimental set-up has been elaborated by the ProtectFish partner University of Koblenz. It consists in reducing the access of Cormorants to a specific river section of the Nister.
This experiment has sparked a particular interest for the German local public broadcast SWR – Südwestrundfunk – and both Paulmann and Winkelmann have shared with enthusiasm its practical details and first results.
On 06 January 2025, the SWR faction of the Western German Rheinland-Pfalz region broadcasted in their evening journal an integral interview with PhD-student Maren Paulmann.
To see the interview with PhD-student Paulmann, click on the link below:
SWR Aktuell Rheinland-Pfalz: Sendung 18:00 Uhr vom 6.1.2025 – hier anschauen (starting from 12:20 – 13:50)
This was the second interview given for the same broadcast, the first one having been aired in November 2024. This first 4-minute-long video (Link here) already explained this field experiment and how it will feed into the ProtectFish project research.
More information
More information on the project’s goals & ambitions – About the project – Protectfish
Information on the project’s partners – Project team – Protectfish
Media coverage by SWR
Net over Nister to protect fish from predators – Landesschau Rheinland-Pfalz – TV
SWR Aktuell Rheinland-Pfalz: Sendung 18:00 Uhr vom 6.1.2025 – hier anschauen (12:20 – 13:50)
Media contact for any further information – Aliénor: protectfish@alienor.eu