Migratory Fish Stocks in Danger

Christoph Beierl | July 11, 2024

Discover why the recently passed Nature Restoration Law of the European Union is a crucial step towards sustainable fisheries and the protection of aquatic ecosystems.

This article highlights efforts to restore river habitats and improve biodiversity, which are vital for the future of migratory fish stocks. Read on to understand how these initiatives benefit our planet and the fishing industry!

A Milestone for Nature: The EU Nature Restoration Law

At the end of June, the European Union passed the Nature Restoration Law, a groundbreaking piece of legislation aimed at restoring Europe's damaged ecosystems and promoting biodiversity. This law supports the goal of protecting 30% of land and marine areas by 2030 and requires EU member states to gradually restore at least 20% of destroyed ecosystems by 2030 and 100% by 2050.

Structural Barriers in Rivers

A significant goal of the law is the renaturation of 25,000 km of rivers. It is estimated that at least 1 million structural barriers in European rivers disrupt natural water flow and fish migration. Since 1970, migratory freshwater fish stocks have declined by approximately 80%, according to the 2024 Living Planet Index Update for Migratory Freshwater Fishes by WWF. Habitat degradation and loss are responsible for about half of this decline, while overfishing accounts for nearly a third.

Displayed here is a heatmap of recorded structural barriers in rivers, which can negatively impact the migratory behavior of river fish species.

Source: Amber Barrier Atlas

Opportunities Through River Renaturation

Removing these barriers can improve river ecology, reduce flood risk, and boost fish stocks. Since 2021, the Open Rivers Programme has already removed 23 barriers, restoring 300 km of natural river flow. Thanks to the EU law, future dismantling measures can hopefully be carried out more easily, and successes can be achieved more quickly.

Presented here is an illustration of the removal of barriers that disrupt natural river flow and fish migration.

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Before vs. After, Source: Open Rivers Programme

Conclusion

The 30x30 goal is as essential for biodiversity conservation as the Paris Agreement is for climate change. The Nature Restoration Law is a significant step towards achieving this goal in Europe. Fortunately, this time, water bodies are not being overlooked, which is particularly pleasing for us as seafood investors, especially concerning endangered wild salmon stocks. Step by step towards a sustainable fishing industry!

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