Successful restoration of fish migration requires more than fish passes
The Netherlands is constructing fish passes to make rivers and streams accessible to fish again. But how effective are these structures? New Ph.D. research by Panos Panagiotopoulos of Wageningen University shows that successful fish migration requires more than making individual barriers passable. Maintenance and water management are also crucial.
The Netherlands is building fish passes to reconnect rivers and streams for fish migration. However, the effectiveness of these structures is debated. New research from Wageningen University suggests restoration requires more than just individual fish passes. Panos Panagiotopoulos analyzed data from 82 fish passes across Dutch rivers, finding that 35 of 38 native species were recorded.
The success varied by species, river discharge, and the presence of successive barriers. Effective connectivity demands route-wide assessment, maintenance, and water management. Despite restoration efforts, fish community recovery has been limited, and drought may hinder benefits.
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