New restrictions apply to motorboats and sailing boats on the Austrian shores of Lake Constance. With immediate effect, most boats are prohibited from entering the protected zone off Bregenz for nature conservation reasons. The new regulation is intended to better protect the species-rich European nature reserve at the mouth of the Bregenzer Ach into Lake Constance. The state of Vorarlberg had already strengthened nature conservation in this area two years ago, and now the district administration is following suit. The prohibited zone extends between the Mehrerau monastery and the mouth of the Bregenzer Ach.
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Nature conservation as justification for strict rules
Among other things, the Lake Constance forget-me-not grows in the estuary and shore area off Bregenz (More information on the flora and fauna in the protected area: here), an extremely rare plant that is on the Red List of endangered species. Access to the site has been prohibited for some time. The extension of the no-entry zone to the enlarged Natura 2000 site is now also intended to prevent disturbance from the water.
Exceptions for certain boat types
Rowing boats are exempt from the navigation ban. And boats entering and leaving the Yacht Clubs Bregenz remain exempt from the regulation, as the Wocherhafen harbour and the sunbathing lawn at the Mehrerau are located within the protected area. However, an originally planned exemption for professional fishermen was cancelled. Emergency boats and vehicles belonging to the building yard also remain exempt from the driving bans as they fulfil necessary tasks. The district authority has revised the existing ordinance for the shores of Lake Constance accordingly and adapted it to the new circumstances.
High fines for offences
All other boaters are clearly prohibited from travelling in the extended protection zone. Anyone who enters the exclusion zone without authorisation must expect a fine. The Bregenz district authority has set the fine at up to 2,180 euros. This measure is intended to further improve the protection of nature in this area of Lake Constance. The prohibited zone is part of the EU-wide Natura 2000 network of protected areas, which covers around 20 per cent of the area of the European Union. In Germany, Natura 2000 accounts for around 15 per cent of the land area and 45 per cent of the sea area. The network is the largest network of protected areas in the world.
Water sports and nature conservation on Lake Constance
The Eriskirch Nature Conservation Centre reports over 280 bird species and more than 600 different plant species living on Lake Constance. At the same time, the lake is not only a popular destination for beach visitors, but also a paradise for water sports enthusiasts. According to Bodensee-News, over 54,000 boats are registered on the lake. In some areas of Lake Constance, motor and sailing boats have been banned for some time. These include the Wollmatinger Ried nature reserve and parts of the Mettnau peninsula. The new regulation on the shores of Lake Mehrerau is in line with these existing protective measures and extends the network of protected areas on Germany's largest lake.
Jill Grigoleit
Editor Travel
