There was a forum in Gersekarát: The Association bids farewell to Sárvíz lake in Gersekarát

2024.10.27. Share

It was met with outrage by the residents, three hours before the start time the municipality of Gersekarat announced in a letter that it would not participate in the forum convened by the Vas County Federation of Sport Fishing Associations. There are still many question marks surrounding the fate of Lake Sárvíz.

There was a forum in Gersekarát: The Association bids farewell to Sárvíz lake in Gersekarát

In the middle of September, the news exploded like a bomb: despite all previous promises, the Gersekarat municipality will reject the association's offer and after the lease expires on January 31, 2025. takes "into his own hands" the utilization of the lake for fish farming. In practice, this also means that from next year, as part of the unified and affordable county fishing ticket system, Sárvíz Lake will no longer be accessible, and anglers will have to exchange a separate area ticket for the water area.

The parties have gone through many hours of negotiations, several announcements have been published on the matter, while the petition initiated by fishermen has already been signed by more than seven hundred people. As the case progressed, it became increasingly clear: the municipality is sticking to its original idea, and is therefore ready to pay tens of millions of forints in compensation.

The association - putting an end to the case - announced a forum for Thursday. Three hours before the start time, the municipality of Gersekarat announced in a letter that it would not participate. They wrote: "The current accounting procedure has confirmed us that we must take care of the tasks within the settlement." In the letter, they also note: the established amount is significant, but this is the only way they can guarantee that fishing will be ensured even after February 1, 2025. After the agreement is signed, the works will begin.

We have come to pour clean water into the glass - stated Miklós Seregi, president of the Vas County Association of Sport Fishing Associations, in the first minutes of the forum. He added: the municipality has every right to do so, but the question remains: why can't they stay?

Executive President Norbert Puskás presented the operation of the NGO, talked about the past and present of Sárvíz Lake and the future development ideas planned for it. Thanks to various tender opportunities and great cooperation, among other things, 58 jetties, water blocks, parking lots, and playgrounds were created around the Gersekarát lake, roads were built, trees were planted and the green area was regularly maintained. It was said: just mowing the lawn costs several million forints a year in such a large area.

Norbert Puskás explained: the claim for compensation was established with the involvement of experts. According to the law, they must take "what can be moved", and they can only account for a part of fish stocks, not the entire fish stock in the lake. This is how the amount of HUF 40 million, which the municipality of Gersekarat is ready to pay, came out in the end. At the same time, he waives the HUF 3 million annual rental fee and the HUF 6 million still offered by MOHOSZ, which the organization would have provided for previous losses from the operation of the lake, and assumes the amount associated with maintenance, maintenance, garbage removal, fish stocking-destruction, and fish conservation.

It's an emotional issue, not a financial one. We are connected to the lake, no question - stated Norbert Puskás, and then announced: the outdoor furniture and play elements will not be taken away, they will continue to be used by those for whom it was built. Together with their partners, Vas Vizek is building the community and we hope to be able to return one day and continue the work we have started. He also talked about how they want to leave with dignity and that they are "not bad people". As proof of this, they buy an air conditioner for the kindergarten in Gersekarat from their traditional end-of-year charity budget - as a parting gift. Huge applause comes from the audience.

After Norbert Puskás' one-hour presentation, studded with photos and statements, several people asked to speak. The local government must be allowed to, within five years it will be decided whether the local government can manage well. If not, the association will take it back - said former mayor Dávid Tüű.

One resident talked about: this is serious money. If the village falls, who will be responsible for it? - The population was not informed, according to him, people's opinions should have been asked. - Who came up with this idea? Why did the mayor change his mind? And why don't you take responsibility for the decision? - another resident of Gersekarat asked the questions.

Among the spectators - unofficially - was local government representative Antal Hári, who, at the address of Federation President Miklós Seregi, said: he asked the representative body to prepare a business and financial plan and a risk analysis, which is in the process of being prepared, although the body has already decided on the About leaving the association and compensation. He also indicated that he would initiate a roll-call vote on the matter at the board meeting, and in his opinion, the association should continue to exist. "The smallest risk is with the association. It's almost risk-free."

It was brought up several times at the forum: the municipality would build a fence around the lake. Presumably, the reference to "starting work" in the letter they sent also refers to this. There were those who suggested that the municipality would transfer the lake to private hands. However, all this is an assumption for now. What is certain so far: the Vas County Association of Sport Fishing Associations is leaving Gersekarat after 15 years.