Harvest time in MV: Carp fishermen start a traditional festival at the pond!

Harvest time in MV: Carp fishermen start a traditional festival at the pond!

The carp harvest in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania has begun and is bringing an old tradition back into the region's consciousness. With the start of the harvest on the last weekend in October, fishermen, who have struggled with declining sales in recent years, are entering the hectic harvest season. While demand for carp has fallen noticeably in recent years, businesses are fighting to keep the tradition alive. Loud NDR Only nine farms harvested 41.7 tons of carp in 2024, compared to 193.9 tons by ten farms a decade ago.

The focus is particularly on Andreas Frischke, who runs his carp ponds on the B 104 behind Sternberg. Despite the thick fog, helpers and spectators gathered, eager to witness the spectacle up close. How Northern Courier According to reports, among those waiting were senior couples who were attending this traditional event for the first time. The fishing veteran Frischke is celebrating his 40th anniversary and is happy about a good harvest, which he was able to master thanks to active helpers.

Preparation and implementation of the harvest

The big preparations began at 10 a.m. The water from the carp pond had not yet completely drained when the helpers were busy making preparations. “With the right technology and a good hand, we can do it,” jokes Frischke. And sure enough, around midday the water had drained and fishing could begin. Ten helpers, including young people like 17-year-old Vivien Kuka, who manages the sorting basin, were on duty. “It's a lot of fun to help out here,” she said as she prepared the fish for sorting.

The Cheren are impressed: “Where else can you see so many large carp in a pond?” says Jörg Oppermann, an interested chef who is watching the harvest for the first time. While the carp are caught and sorted, other helpers ensure that the transport containers are filled with fresh water. “We take care of every fish so that they can be transported well,” adds Frischke.

Tradition and outlook

An important date is November 11th. The carp harvest must be completed by this point to avoid frost damage. Carp are traditionally eaten around Christmas and New Year's Eve, which adds additional importance to the harvest. The Minister of Agriculture has already signaled that they want to support the fishing tradition in order to counteract the decline in demand and promote the regional economy.

Despite all the challenges, the fishermen believe in a positive turnaround. Hannes Wagner, who revitalized 160 hectares of pond area in the Lewitz and released 5,000 small carp in the spring, has one goal: “We want to remind people of the tradition of carp breeding and get them excited about carp again.” Perhaps it will soon be popular again and fishermen can look forward to a colorful and traditional carp harvest.