K+S KALI GmbH: pleasing outcomes in this year’s water monitoring in the Werra/Weser rivers

KASSEL, 21-Nov-2016 — /EuropaWire/ — Two pleasing outcomes were brought to light by this year’s water monitoring in the Werra. Firstly, the bitterling, a small fish of the carp family and considered endangered in Thuringia, was identified at three sampling points for the first time. A very strong population with numerous juvenile fish has established a colony close to Gerstungen. Because the bitterling can only multiply in symbiosis with large mussels, its presence at the same time constitutes proof of the presence of freshwater mussels in the vicinity of the sampling points. Secondly, there was a further increase in the species of fish found in the river. Twice as many species was counted, in comparison to the last survey performed in 2010.

Last August, the experts commissioned to count the stocks – the Göttingen-based firm of LIMNA Wasser & Landschaft – used drag nets at a total of 12 sampling points in the Werra river between Tiefenort and Letzter Heller/Hann. Münden. They found 16 species of fish, of which 11 were proven to be steadily multiplying independently. All told, the number of species, the population densities and the general condition of the stocks prove that the targeted stabilization of an enhanced living environment within the river has been achieved, meaning that the majority of species can now continue to multiply successfully.

Stable environment also mirrored in the Upper Weser

Based on the annual stock-taking performed in the Werra and the Upper Weser, the Lower Saxony State Office for Food Safety and Consumer Protection (“LAVES”) has concluded that the number of species and the population densities in both rivers have risen in comparison to the multi-year average. Whereas an average of 24 species were counted in the Upper Weser during the period 2010-2015, the 2016 study identified 26 species in the Upper Weser between Oedelshausen and Rinteln. In the Lower Werra (Hedemünden to Letzter Heller/Hann. Münden), the current count was 13 species (previous average: 12).

The detailed reports on

• Juvenile Fish Monitoring in the Werra between Tiefenort and Letzter Heller 2016
• Fish Stock Surveys on the Upper Weser and Werra 2016

are available for download from (only available in German):
www.k-plus-s.com/de/gewaesserschutz/informationen.html

About K+S KALI GmbH
K+S KALI GmbH based in Kassel extracts crude salts containing potassium, magnesium and sulphur from its six mines in Germany. These are used to produce a wide range of fertiliser specialties and preliminary products for many different technical, industrial and pharmaceutical applications. K+S KALI GmbH is one of the world’s leading suppliers of potash and magnesium products. The company belonging to the K+S Group employs about 8,000 people.

You can find further information about K+S KALI GmbH on the company website at www.kali-gmbh.com

SOURCE:  K+S AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT

PRESS CONTACT

Phone: +49 561 9301 1722
ulrich.goebel@k-plus-s.com