Stampermühle in Kleinbundenbach: Fish and geese in new splendor!

Stampermühle in Kleinbundenbach: Fish and geese in new splendor!

The revival of the Stampermühle in Kleinbundenbach is taking shape. Michael Maul from Landau is the initiator of this ambitious project, which began in 2021. After almost four years full of bureaucratic hurdles, the signs are now pointing to renewal. With a planned investment of three million euros, not only will the old mill be reopened, but modern aquaculture for trout farming will also be created. From 2025 onwards, 100 tons of trout are planned to be produced annually at the Stampermühle, and the breeding of geese is also planned.

But this promising development comes in the context of stagnating aquaculture in Germany. While demand for fish and seafood is increasing worldwide, this is not reflected in German production figures. The German Fisheries Association (DFV) states that strict laws and complicated bureaucratic regulations such as water, nature and fish disease law are hampering the industry. The uncertainties resulting from this set of rules make it difficult for many companies to actually exploit their potential. An example of this is mussel production in Schleswig-Holstein, which is struggling with similar problems. Last year, aquaculture farms in Germany only produced around 35,200 tonnes, less than around 39,200 tonnes over a decade ago.

The challenges are diverse and highlight the discrepancy between global demand and regional production. This includes the high pressure from natural predators such as cormorants and otters, which affect the stocks, and the inadequate defense measures available to the companies. To counteract this, the DFV is calling for a fundamental reduction in bureaucracy, especially with a view to the upcoming German Fishing Day in Hamburg.

Bureaucracy as a brake on growth

A comprehensive study shows that Germany's level of self-sufficiency with fish products from aquaculture could be significantly increased. Nevertheless, production has stagnated for years, which is not least due to the complex approval processes and economic uncertainties. The Budget Committee of the German Bundestag therefore advocates the establishment of a competence center for aquaculture at the Thünen Institute. The aim is to convert scientific findings into practical solutions and to reduce existing legal barriers. A preliminary study on the legal basis of aquaculture is currently being carried out in order to analyze the bureaucratic challenges and eventually develop concrete, implementable recommendations for action.

With all of these findings and developments in their backpacks, the operators of the Stampermühle not only want to bring back a piece of tradition, but also shape the future. The combination of gastronomy and modern fish farming could open a new chapter in the regional economy and not only reduce the influence of bureaucracy on the industry to absurdity, but also show a good knack for sustainable nutrition.

The revival of the Stampermühle not only brings a breath of fresh air to the region, but could also help get aquaculture rolling again in Germany. Let’s take advantage of the opportunity this initiative offers us!