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A vision of free-flowing rivers in Europe could be the catalyst for a significant increase in recreational fishing in the region and a boost for the tackle industry.
The scenario is no dream thanks to legislation recently enacted in Brussels. The legislation is designed to make more than 25,000 kilometres of rivers free flowing in Europe and compel EU member states to develop and implement strategies to achieve the goal, necessitating the removal of dams and other obstructions. It also coincides with the appointment of campaigner Herman Wanningen to a position with US-based McMillen, the builder of water resource projects across the world. Wanningen will be responsible for decommissioning dams and barriers across Europe that are not fit for purpose.
Wanningen (below) told Angling International: “Rivers across Europe are dotted with more than one million barriers of which approximately 15,000 – 15% – are considered obsolete and ready for removal. The issue is quite urgent because many of these are unsafe due to lack of maintenance and it is often more economical and safer to remove these structures than refurbish them.”
For the last decade, the World Fish Migration Foundation – founded by Wanningen – has been at the forefront of efforts to get rivers free flowing once more and return the waterways back to nature for the survival of fish populations.
“Dams have caused more harm than good over decades. From blocking the natural flow of rivers to disrupting the migration patterns of fish, these structures have led to a severe decline in fish populations and biodiversity. More than 90% of Europe’s fish stocks have plummeted since the 1970s due to dams and pollution.
“Fish are unable to reach their spawning grounds, many of which are now either threatened or have disappeared entirely because of these barriers. Rivers that once teemed with life are now struggling to sustain even the most basic aquatic ecosystems.
“The first step in addressing this issue is to identify the obstacles that hinder the natural flow of rivers. Building a comprehensive barriers atlas of Europe is crucial. This would help pinpoint the locations of these obstructions and prioritise their removal based on safety and environmental impact. Our company, with a proven track record of delivering dam removal projects in the US, is bringing its expertise to Europe and its ultimate goal is to create safe rivers that run freely from source to sea without hindrance of barriers.”
© Rob Kleinjans Photography.
Wanningen says that if that happens we will see a resurgence of salmon and trout populations and more people engaged in fishing. “To achieve this goal the river practitioners of Europe need to remove five barriers a day, focusing on rivers that can be restored and that can see the return of fish in their millions.
“The journey to free-flowing rivers full of life is a challenging one, but is also immensely rewarding. It is a life-changing endeavour that promises to restore the natural balance of our waterways, benefit our ecosystems and revitalise the communities that rely on fishing.
© Ministry of Environment Estonia.
“All this is great news for the fishing tackle industry. Healthy fish is important to the future of fishing. Dam removal is part of a snowball. It is not an avalanche yet, but I am quite sure that with the support of the recreational fishing industry and the cooperation between experts, companies and governments, we will see an avalanche soon.
“If companies or individuals are inspired and want to start a dam removal project I will be happy to give guidance and advice.”
Contact Wanningen at h.wanningen@mcmillen.com
