Waldviertel celebrates: Carpfenteichwirtschaft becomes a World Heritage Site!

Waldviertel celebrates: Carpfenteichwirtschaft becomes a World Heritage Site!

St. Pölten, Österreich - On May 26, 2025, the Lower Austrian coat of arms was presented to the Teichwirteverband Lower Austria in the St. Pölten country house. This award took place by Governor Johanna Mikl-Leitner and LH deputy Stephan Pernkopf. The association was honored for its outstanding promotion of the country's reputation in the areas of agriculture, tourism and nature conservation. The Waldviertel carp pond economy, which was recently recognized as a "agricultural World Heritage Site" by the World Food Organization (FAO), was particularly emphasized.

The carp pond economy, with a story of over 900 years, combines craftsmanship with tradition and passes on valuable local knowledge. There are over 2,000 ponds in the region that offer an important habitat for many rare and endangered animal and plant species. Sustainable carp production ensures the existence of the regional pond hosts and also promotes sustainable tourism.

recognition as a World Heritage Site

The award as an agricultural World Heritage Site not only recognizes the tradition, but also the commitment to biodiversity and sustainable livelihood. The Waldviertel can be found in the FAO Giah's initiative, which recognizes such valuable agricultural systems. Here, quality and biodiversity is used instead of factory farming. Carp manage in the region without the use of chemicals and antibiotics. This ensures healthy fish that grow in ponds, in which they mainly feed on natural plankton and grounds.

A central social event in this tradition is the annual fishing in autumn, in which the ponds are drained and the fish are caught by hand. The Waldviertel fishing festival on the Bruneich is attracted to thousands of visitors and contributes to the community and the visibility of the carp economy. The pond hosts have also merged into a network that offers regional carp dishes in gastronomy.

solemn presentation

The board of the Lower Austrian Teichwirteverband was pleased to talk about the award as the first agricultural World Heritage Site in Lower Austria and the only excellent aquaculture system in Europe. This award not only illustrates the cultural importance of the carp pond economy, but also represents a step to maintain ecosystems and to ensure the future of the Waldviertel carp.

The Waldviertel carp pond economy thus promises to play an important role in the region in the future, committed both the sustainable development and the preservation of cultural traditions.

For more information: Noe , Waldviertel , LKO .