European nature reserve Attersee

European protected area Natura 2000 - Attersee since 2006
To preserve and permanently protect natural habitats is the main goal of the European protected area. Natura 2000 is not a further development of the existing stock of protected areas of national or international categories, but is built independently. Together, the Habitats Directive was established. In 2006, among others, the Attersee, the Seeache and parts of the Weißenbach were assigned to the European protected area Natura 2000. Learn more about the European Protected Area at Lake Attersee! DISCOVER the European Protected Area Mond-Attersee

Natura 2000 and European protected areas in Salzkammergut
Natura 2000 is an EU-wide network of protected areas established with the aim of permanently preserving rare and endangered habitats, animal and plant species. It is based on the Birds Directive and the Flora-Fauna Habitat Directive of the European Union. (FFH - Directives).

2006 Attersee European Protected Area
An area of more than 6000 hectares of the Mondsee and Attersee lakes was designated by the EU in 2006 as a NATURA 2000 protected area and, by decree of 2013, bears the designation Mond-Attersee European Protected Area. The two lakes, the Seeache and parts of the Weißenbach, the Fuschler Ache and the Zeller Ache comprise this area. There are 7 Natura 2000 Attersee municipalities in the Attersee-Attergau region: Attersee, Nußdorf, Schörfling, Seewalchen, Steinbach, Unterach and Weyregg am Attersee.
 
Pearlfish and sea dove in Weyregg aquarium
One of the reasons why this area was declared a European protected area is the pearlfish and the sea dove. The pearlfish is a highly endangered carp fish. It is only found in very few places in Europe. The most vital stocks in Europe are found in the Attersee and Mondsee lakes. The sea pigeon is still relatively common in Lake Mondsee and Lake Attersee, but it could no longer be detected in Lake Traunsee. Both fish live in deep waters. In the Weyregg Aquarium, endangered fish such as the pearlfish and the sea dove can be observed, as well as the measures taken in the European Protected Areas of Lake Mondsee and Lake Attersee.

Guided tours at Weyregg Aquarium 
You can get up close and personal with the extraordinary pearlfish and sea dove on a guided tour of the Weyregg aquarium. Discover the diverse underwater world of Lake Attersee! Guided tours take place in July and August - every Monday at 7:30 pm. No registration necessary. Free admission!

Where does the pearlfish get its name?
Pearlfish owe their name to the typical spawning rash of the males. Amber-coloured bumps about the size of a grain of rice form mainly on the head and back and look like small pearls, giving the fish its name.

Further information & sources
https://www.land-oberoesterreich.gv.at/92726.htm
https://e-gov.ooe.gv.at/ndbinternet/NDBInternetGenisysDetail.jsp?genisysInventarNr=eu04