Seminar ”Fishponds – Outstanding Component of the Lednice-Valtice Cultural Landscape”

Fish management is one of the oldest landscape professions which have had major impact both on the landscape and on human society. The Liechtenstein family had a number of fishpond networks built in the Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape and their efforts resulted in the establishment of Nesyt fishpond in 1414-1418 as well.

At present, fishponds are among the most outstanding elements of cultural landscape. Added to this, within LVCL they represent the basis of the surrounding composed landscape which constitutes a part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a part of the Lednicke Fishponds National Nature Reserve, a Bird Area under the Natura 2000 Programme, as well as part of a Ramsar Wetland.

Apart from fishponds’ primary production function, the 20^th century began to appreciate their other values. The understanding of fishpond management differs in relation to the varying interests of individual stakeholders. Fishponds are newly viewed not purely as an economic resource but also as an important element constituting the basis of the surrounding landscape, as is manifested in the composition of the Lednice-Valtice cultural landscape established in the 19^th century. The plant and animal species diversity has attracted biologists and conservationists alike. However, fishponds are also significant from the water management, climatic and other perspectives.

Under the “Traditions and Trends” Programme, the Lower Morava BR in collaboration with Mendel University in Brno and its Faculty of Horticulture organized a seminar which raised a number of issues regarding fishpond management in the landscape. Experts from different fields, e.g. water managers, landscape architects, historical monument preservationists, as well as sociologists, lawyers, representatives of local governments, biologists and nature conservationists, attempted to define the parameters of sustainable fishpond management in LVCL which would meet the requirements of stakeholders and at the same time preserve the balance between economic, social and environmental principles. Lectures of experts, discussions and forums were open for all those who are involved in fishpond and cultural landscape management.