In 2005, an epidemic of the pike tapeworm Triaenophorus crassus Forel, 1868 broke out in the Arctic charr (Salvelinus umbla (L. 1758)) stock of Lake Grundlsee, Austria. Besides the definitive host Northern pike (Esox lucius L. 1758), which was introduced into the lake in the 1960s, the cestode requires copepods as first and salmonid fish as second intermediate hosts. Within 2 years, the prevalence of the cestode in medium sized Arctic charr increased to almost 100% and the abundance reached a maximum of 55 cysts per fish, leading to the closure of the fishery. Such a massive infection of Arctic charr has never been reported. High pike abundance and the occurrence of a suitable copepod host facilitated the outbreak. The only first intermediate host Cyclops abyssorum praealpinus Kiefer, 1933 predominated the zooplankton community during May, when cestode coracidia hatch from eggs. Only during this infectious period, C. abyssorum praealpinus was eaten by Arctic charr (2–50% of prey organisms). Low fishing pressure on pike enabled the development of a large population that served as reservoir for T. crassus with up to 687 cestodes per fish. To contain the epidemic, 1671 pike were removed between 2008 and 2013. Infection of Arctic charr decreased to 60% and a maximum number of 16 cysts in 2013.

Half a century after introducing the final host Northern pike (Esox lucius L. 1758) into Lake Grundlsee in Austria, a sudden massive infection with the pike tapeworm Triaenophorus crassus Forel 1868 was noticed in the population of the intermediate host Arctic charr (Salvelinus umbla (L. 1758)) and led to the closure of this famous fishery. In an effort to contain the epidemic, a total of 1163 pike were removed over a period of three years (2008–2010). The efficiencies of gill and fyke netting as well as electro and spear fishing were assessed. All four methods were costly with EUR 37–371 to catch a single fish. During intensive fishing, catch per unit effort and fish lengths of pike declined. Fyke netting coupled with electro fishing turned out to be the most practicable strategy to reduce the pike stock. After another three years, prevalence of T. crassus in Arctic charr could be reduced by 40% in 2013. However, it will be impossible to completely eradicate pike and its parasite in the lake.