The sea lamprey is critically endangered and at risk of extinction in Sweden. The Improve Aquatic LIFE project has a particular focus on the species. Via a fish counter in River Ätran, two sea lampreys recently passed by and were caught by the underwater camera.
The interaction between sea trout and eelgrass under the microscope
Hakefjorden: The interaction between sea trout and eelgrass will be scrutinized as researchers from the University of Gothenburg, SLU and 8+Fjordar are in the starting blocks of a new Improve project.
Restored stream at Okome mill
The dam and the migration barrier at Okome Mill in Stockån, a tributary of Högvadsån, is about to disappear. The first step of the project is to lower the dam, which is currently underway. The dam will then be dismantled so that fish can migrate past.
River Råån soon free of migration barriers – listen to the radio report
Görarpsdammen is currently being lowered, which is the initial part of eliminating the last migration barrier in Skåne River Råån. Anna Olsson from the City of Helsingborg met with radio P4 Malmöhus where she explained the positive effects the measure has for the ecosystem.
Initiated lowering of the Görarp dam in River Råån
The lowering of the Görarp Dam is currently underway in River Råån. The lowering is the first stage before the dam foundation is dismantled so that all fish species can pass through the dam. The action is one of the first to be implemented in Improve Aquatic LIFE.
Artificial reefs in inner Bråviken
Efforts to improve marine habitats in Östergötland has now gained momentum. Last week, artificial reefs were placed in inner Bråviken to support predatory fish and enhance ecosystem conditions.
Europe’s largest water conservation project launched
The new improveaquaticlife.se website follows Europe’s largest water conservation project. The first action has already been taken – a 200-ton concrete culvert has been removed to restore the natural flow of the Pjältån river.
Brighter for salmon in River Örekilsälven
Migration barriers will be removed and wetlands restored. This is very good news for salmon and other migratory species such as trout, eel and sea lamprey.
River Örekilsälven which flows into the Saltkällefjorden bay, accounts for around eight percent of the total salmon smolt production in the waters of Sweden’s west coast, making it the most important salmon river in the area. Species such as trout, eel and sea lamprey are also found here, as well as birds and mammals such as the common tern, common grayling, otter and several species of bats. In the past, the river has been heavily impacted by dams, power plant construction and gutting.
Demolished concrete culvert benefits trout and river lamprey in Pjältån
In September 2024, the first Improve Aquatic LIFE action took place. In the Pjältån nature reserve, in the northeastern part of Östergötland County, a 60-meter-long and 200-ton concrete culvert was removed.
At the same time, the water was diverted back into a 250-meter natural channel that had run parallel to the culvert.
The inauguration of the project attracted around 70 visitors from the local area. Many of them took the opportunity to take a lunchtime walk to see the major change in situ. The culvert was built in the early 1970s in connection with the construction of the adjacent highway. The new solution is more nature-based and creates both more and better habitat for trout and river lamprey – two characteristic species in the area.
Major investment in Skåne’s coast – reefs and eelgrass restored
One of the hundreds of projects to be implemented through Improve Aquatic LIFE is the restoration of reefs and the important eelgrass beds in the Kattegat and the Sound.