In October 2025, ÖKF FishLife, the Austrian member of the European Anglers Alliance (EAA), organised its 12th annual forum in Linz under the theme “Lebendige Gewässer”. The event brought together +80 representatives from fisheries organisations, academia, public authorities and environmental stakeholders to discuss the future of freshwater ecosystems and the role of recreational fisheries in sustainable water management.
Forum’s key message: recreational fisheries are a strong societal partner
A central message of the forum was clear: recreational fisheries are not merely a leisure activity, but a structured civil society actor with environmental, economic and educational responsibilities.
Discussions highlighted:
- The significant socio-economic contribution of angling in Austria, supporting rural economies and generating substantial annual economic activity.
- The role of angling organisations in environmental stewardship, including habitat improvement, fish stock management and ecological monitoring.
- The importance of education, ethical conduct and youth/women engagementin strengthening public understanding of aquatic ecosystems.
Speakers emphasised the need to better communicate this added value to policymakers and the wider public, particularly in the context of evolving EU environmental legislation.
Adressing ecological pressures on freshwater systems
The second part of the forum focused on the ecological challenges facing Europe’s rivers and lakes. The overall theme was “renaturation is indispensable, but not a panacea”.
Key themes included:
- River continuity and habitat restoration, including the importance of reconnecting floodplains and improving spawning habitats.
- The cumulative impacts of hydropower infrastructure and barriers on migratory fish species.
- Science-based approaches to fish population management and biodiversity conservation, as e.g. on otter or cormorant predation
- In Austria, the otter population is no longer endangered; however, there is a lack of official reference data for reporting to the EU, which has so far made adequate management difficult.
The full list of presentations done during the event can be found via this link
A platform for constructive dialogue
ÖKF FishLife positioned the forum as a platform for open and forward-looking dialogue. The objective was to demonstrate how recreational fisheries can act as a partner in achieving shared environmental goals.
The event showcased collaboration between practitioners, scientists and policymakers — an approach that mirrors the EAA’s wider commitment at EU level to constructive engagement with European institutions.
The ÖKF FORUM made it clear: We are all ambassadors of angling. Our goal is to make the “added value of angling” visible – for nature conservation, environmental education, sustainable water management and social cohesion. The numerous fishermen actively support the preservation of species-rich and intact waters so that they benefit everyone – as a habitat for fish, recreational space for people and a valuable ecological resource.
Sources and further reading:
- Source: 12th ÖKF FORUM 2025 Review – Fishlife
- Source: 12th ÖKF FORUM Presentations – Fishlife
- Austria – Members – About EAA – EAA
- ProtectFish presented at the ÖKF FishLife Forum 2025 in Linz – Protectfish
Pictures
ÖFG “Fishing Ladies” project was presented at the ÖKF FORUM by Ramona Hani
© ÖKF FishLife – 2025
Speakers of the Forum’s second day
© ÖKF FishLife – 2025
© ÖKF FishLife – 2025
