Space for fish
A characteristic of clean and healthy water is a healthy fish population, with many different species. A healthy fish population is achieved when fish are able to migrate freely. We are working hard to achieve this.
Good fish stocks
For fish stocks to thrive, fish must be able to swim freely through canals, ditches, ponds, and streams. This is because fish migrate to different habitats during their lifetime. For example, deep water that does not freeze in winter, or shallow ponds that warm up quickly in summer. Some species spend part of their lives in the sea and part in fresh water. Eels and three-spined sticklebacks are examples of this.
Free and safe migration is the most important point
Is the connection between different habitats blocked? If so, many fish species will not be able to survive. This will lead to a decline in water quality. That is why the free migration of fish is an important issue. We have been working since the late 1980s to improve fish migration. We are looking at these two points:
Free migration of fish
Fish can migrate freely from the Wadden Sea to our streams, ditches, and canals. This is possible because we connect these waters. There are bottlenecks between the different waters, such as pumping stations or weirs. This creates migration routes for fish. This is particularly beneficial for the following fish: ide, dace, minnow, eel, river lamprey, twait shad, smelt, three-spined stickleback, and pike.
Safe fishing
Some bottlenecks are not located on a migration route. Here, our goal is to ensure that fish can live there safely. We want to prevent fish from injuring themselves or dying. We do this with fish-friendly solutions. We use the best available techniques. Are we renovating or replacing a pumping station, lock, culvert, or weir? Then we assess the usefulness and necessity of fish-friendly solutions. Are we building new locks, culverts, pumping stations, or weirs? Then we ensure that they are as fish-friendly as possible.
Solution to bottlenecks for fish
There were 85 bottlenecks for fish in the area. The vast majority have been resolved. We will tackle the last part before 2027. At the beginning of 2021, we still have just under 20 bottlenecks to resolve.
Fish lift at Ottervallei
The fish lift enables fish migration
Next to the De Dijken pumping station on the Matsloot is the Vislift Up. Sometimes there is an obstacle between two bodies of water. This prevents fish from migrating from one body of water to another. This is also the case between the water in the Matsloot and the water in the Ottervallei. The fish lift makes fish migration possible.
Want to know more about the fish lift? Then visit the fish lift website:
Ottervallei pumping station - Fish lift UP!
How does the fish lift work?
When searching for a suitable habitat, fish orient themselves based on factors such as the direction of the current. Fish are attracted by the current from the pumping station, but cannot swim any further. The fish passage next to the pumping station then attracts the fish with a lure current, which they can swim against. The lure current lures them into a "waiting room" and after a while they are sluiced further into the Otter Valley. Fish can also leave the Otter Valley in a similar way via the fish passage.
Collaboration
Make Way for Fish
The four northern water boards are working together to promote fish migration, thereby giving fish free rein.
More information ruimbaanvoorvissen.nl
Fishing for connection
Fishing for Connection is a project that aims to create a better connection allowing migratory fish to migrate between the Wadden Sea, Lauwersmeer, and the waters behind it. It is a broad collaboration between managers, governments, and nature conservation organizations.
More information Fishing for verbinding.nl