The Vasaknos fish-ponds SPA terns’ colony destroyed twice during the breading season
28-07-2020
The Vasaknos fish-ponds SPA was established as NATURA 2000 site in 2004. The Common terns breeding on the floating turf islands, which make this area unique on the country scale. The area is also used for the aquaculture. Mid of May, the pond was full of life, most of the Common terns started to breed. However, it was not successful – on May 27th, the pond was empty, and the clutches were abandoned by the Black-headed gulls and Common terns. The eggs became the supper for the mammal predators. The private company JSC “Vasaknos”, responsible of the supervision of ponds, did not informed environmental authorities about the accident. Only when the responsible institutions started to clarify the situation, the owners informed that it was an accident.
At the beginning of June, the water body was filled again with water and on 26th of June, not less than 90 breeding pairs of Common Tern were counted by the ornithologists. It seemed, that situation despite the unsuccessful start, has improved and the breeding season will be successful. However, on 17th of July, the JTS “Vasaknos” has informed environmental authorities about their intention to empty the pond due to the economic loss. Sartai and Gražutė Regional Park Administration immediately informed the company that the pond can be emptied not earlier than 10th of August, otherwise the terns’ colony will be destroyed. The LOD staff were promised by the owned of the company, that the process will be delayed, however already on 23rd of July the pond was empty, thus the clutches of Common terns were destroyed for the second time. It must be admitted that it is clearly stated on the regulation of the SPA, that the economic activities cannot involve the measures, which would have negative impact on the terns’ population.
In the light of the “Green deal”, the decision taken by the private company, is not only breaking the existing legislation, however it does have a negative impact on the company’s reputation. The LOD expects, that environmental authorities will clarify all the circumstances of the accident and such events will be prevented in the future.
The second breeding attempt of Common terns in the site. Photo by Daiva Norkūnienė
An empty fish-pond in Vasaknos SPA. Photo by Daiva Norkūnienė
