Location
Groningen, The Netherlands
Event Website
http://fishpassage.umass.edu/
Start Date
22-6-2015 2:30 PM
End Date
22-6-2015 2:45 PM
Description
Abstract:
Although hydropower is a small energy source in the Netherlands, it is often discussed in the media, among stakeholders, and in politics. On the one hand, the Dutch government promotes the development of sustainable energy. On the other hand, these projects can cause damage to migratory fish. Since the Dutch large rivers are crucial as main ports for many migratory fish species, the water manager (Rijkswaterstaat) has developed an official policy rule for a transparent decision-making on hydropower issues. The rule provides a specific framework for decision makers when assessing projects for hydropower stations. It aims to allow for new initiatives while at the same time it enables the reaching of fish-protection targets set under three important policies for protection of migrating fish (Regulation for Eel, Benelux Decision, and the WFD). Stakeholders from both fishing organizations and hydropower companies have been consulted in the drafting of the framework.The framework consists of a description of available techniques and criteria for fish damage, including an explanation on how and where they are applied. The damage on two vulnerable species (Eel and Salmon) needs to be tested during downstream migration. If the damage on these species meets the criteria set in the policy rule, the level of protection at the plant is considered to be sufficient for the protection of the whole fish community. In two large river stretches which are suitable for hydropower, cumulative fish damage caused by hydropower needs to be lower than 10% for both eel and salmon. If the present damage in the river stretch is already higher than 10%, new hydropower stations are only allowed when fish damage is lower than <0,1% per location. In other water bodies important for fish migration, damage must be always lower than 0,1% per water body.
Session C2: How Migrating Fish Survives Between Law, Politics, and Permits for Hydropower
Groningen, The Netherlands
Abstract:
Although hydropower is a small energy source in the Netherlands, it is often discussed in the media, among stakeholders, and in politics. On the one hand, the Dutch government promotes the development of sustainable energy. On the other hand, these projects can cause damage to migratory fish. Since the Dutch large rivers are crucial as main ports for many migratory fish species, the water manager (Rijkswaterstaat) has developed an official policy rule for a transparent decision-making on hydropower issues. The rule provides a specific framework for decision makers when assessing projects for hydropower stations. It aims to allow for new initiatives while at the same time it enables the reaching of fish-protection targets set under three important policies for protection of migrating fish (Regulation for Eel, Benelux Decision, and the WFD). Stakeholders from both fishing organizations and hydropower companies have been consulted in the drafting of the framework.The framework consists of a description of available techniques and criteria for fish damage, including an explanation on how and where they are applied. The damage on two vulnerable species (Eel and Salmon) needs to be tested during downstream migration. If the damage on these species meets the criteria set in the policy rule, the level of protection at the plant is considered to be sufficient for the protection of the whole fish community. In two large river stretches which are suitable for hydropower, cumulative fish damage caused by hydropower needs to be lower than 10% for both eel and salmon. If the present damage in the river stretch is already higher than 10%, new hydropower stations are only allowed when fish damage is lower than <0,1% per location. In other water bodies important for fish migration, damage must be always lower than 0,1% per water body.
https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June22/34