Brown trout day

Long live the brown trout! - This was the mottoof a special new day of action at the Stanglwirt on May 20, 2025 - Brown Trout Day. Together with the River and Nature Trust (RNT) and committed partners such as the Stiegl brewery, this day was created to draw attention to the dramatically endangered habitat of one of our most valuable native fish: the brown trout, the original source fish of the Alps.

Alongside Johannes Hauser, Schlägl Ab bey was also awarded the RNT Brown Trout 2025 . As the owner of the fishing rights on the Große Mühl in Upper Austria, a section of the river around 30 kilometers long, the monastery is actively involved in promoting biodiversity - in particular by protecting the indigenous brown trout, which in turn is essential for the reproduction of the endangered river pearl mussel. This commitment is carried out in cooperation with the Haslach Nature Conservation Youth and impressively demonstrates how responsibility and tradition can go hand in hand.

The brown trout is not just a fish, but an indicator of the health of our watercourses. It needs clear, cool and oxygen-rich water. But it is precisely these habitats that are disappearing - due to river obstructions, predators, incorrect fisheries management and climate change. In many regions of Austria, the brown trout has already become a rarity.

With scientific studies and renaturation projects - such as on the Großache in Tyrol - the RNT is working specifically to reintroduce the species. Because: Where the brown trout returns, life also returns to our rivers.

The day at the Stanglwirt was more than just a symbolic event. It was an impressive sign of cohesion between nature conservation, science, fisheries, agriculture and tourism. Through personal discussions, excursions and regional delicacies based around fish and water, an awareness was created of the responsibility that each of us bears.

The Stiegl brewery not only took on the patronage, but also actively involved its community: In the "Stiegl Circle of Friends", collected loyalty points can now be converted into donations for the protection of brown trout - a simple but effective tool for conscious consumption.

We were particularly pleased to welcome Heinrich Dieter Kiener, owner and managing director of Stieglbrauerei, together with Mrs. Alessandra Kiener, Abbot Kons.-Rat Mag. Lukas Dikany and Forstrat h. c. Kons.-Johannes Wohlmacher from Schlägl Abbey, Annemarie Moser-Pröll, Austria's Sportswoman of the Century and supporter of the RNT, Raphael Haaser, Ski World Champion in Giant Slalom 2025 and Vice World Champion in Super-G, as well as Ernst Vettori, Olympic and World Champion in Ski Jumping. Their presence was a great honor and underlines the importance of this special day.