Event Title

Session C1: The ICE Protocol for Ecological Continuity: A New Tool to Evaluate the Upstream Fish Passage Success at Physical Barriers

Location

Groningen, The Netherlands

Event Website

http://fishpassage.umass.edu/

Start Date

22-6-2015 10:55 AM

End Date

22-6-2015 11:10 AM

Description

Abstract:

The recording and classification of obstacles that can interfere with the movements and migrations of fish is critical information to plan river restoration program. To date a major problem is to determine the potential effect of each obstacle and to select the problematic sites that should be improved to restore longitudinal connectivity (construction of fish passage facilities, removal or modification of the obstacles). Fish passage success about an obstacle is complex and depends on the hydraulic conditions over and at the foot of the obstacle in relation to swimming and leaping capabilities of the fish species concerned. This selection and classification is too often biased because managers lack information’s on the fish capabilities to leap physical obstacles. The need for a simple, reliable and standardised assessment method for use by a wide range of environmental stakeholders rapidly became evident. We responded to the challenge and developed the ICE protocol as the basis for the required ecological-continuity assessment method, particularly in the context of the European Water Framework Directive implementation. The ICE protocol coordinated by ONEMA is based on an integration of the topographical and hydraulic characteristics of obstacles with the physical capabilities (swimming, jumping or crawling) of the fish species analysed. It requires the gathering of standardised descriptive variables on each obstacle. The result of the analysis is an indication on the risks of a structure constituting a more or less severe obstacle (4 classes) for a given fish species (n=47) or group of species. Particular attention was paid to the practical aspects of the method (time required and necessary human resources) to facilitate its use in a wide variety of situations and areas. Each procedure is presented as a flow chart to assist in decision-making, thus making the protocol easy to use for a wide range of people.

Comments

Presenting Author Bio: Michaël Ovidio, PhD, Fish Biologist, Scientific Expert and Associate Professor. University of Liège, Head of Laboratory of Fish Demography and Hydroecology.

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Jun 22nd, 10:55 AM Jun 22nd, 11:10 AM

Session C1: The ICE Protocol for Ecological Continuity: A New Tool to Evaluate the Upstream Fish Passage Success at Physical Barriers

Groningen, The Netherlands

Abstract:

The recording and classification of obstacles that can interfere with the movements and migrations of fish is critical information to plan river restoration program. To date a major problem is to determine the potential effect of each obstacle and to select the problematic sites that should be improved to restore longitudinal connectivity (construction of fish passage facilities, removal or modification of the obstacles). Fish passage success about an obstacle is complex and depends on the hydraulic conditions over and at the foot of the obstacle in relation to swimming and leaping capabilities of the fish species concerned. This selection and classification is too often biased because managers lack information’s on the fish capabilities to leap physical obstacles. The need for a simple, reliable and standardised assessment method for use by a wide range of environmental stakeholders rapidly became evident. We responded to the challenge and developed the ICE protocol as the basis for the required ecological-continuity assessment method, particularly in the context of the European Water Framework Directive implementation. The ICE protocol coordinated by ONEMA is based on an integration of the topographical and hydraulic characteristics of obstacles with the physical capabilities (swimming, jumping or crawling) of the fish species analysed. It requires the gathering of standardised descriptive variables on each obstacle. The result of the analysis is an indication on the risks of a structure constituting a more or less severe obstacle (4 classes) for a given fish species (n=47) or group of species. Particular attention was paid to the practical aspects of the method (time required and necessary human resources) to facilitate its use in a wide variety of situations and areas. Each procedure is presented as a flow chart to assist in decision-making, thus making the protocol easy to use for a wide range of people.

https://scholarworks.umass.edu/fishpassage_conference/2015/June22/49