Excecutive summary:

One of the sub-projects under RETROUT addressed the challenge of improving the ecological status of river courses in the BSR, potentially leading to larger fish stocks which is a prerequisite for a growing fishing tourism industry. This sub-project aimed to finally propose “Best Practice Solutions” for efficient and sustainable restoration measures for such rivers with a focus on sea trout. The implementation of river restoration measures (mainly habitat restoration and addressing migration barriers) in selected rivers was evaluated, with an aim to analyze successful and failed/non-realized river restoration projects and identify the underlying factors leading to such outcomes. The study was based on a qualitative analysis of data collected from past river restoration projects planned and/or implemented in potential sea trout rivers flowing to the Baltic Sea. The analysis was based on data collected  from a total of 97 river restoration projects located in 76 rivers in the Baltic Sea Region countries (except Germany). Of these, 16 river restoration projects were analyzed as detailed interview-based case studies.

From this study it emerges that the factors important for success of river restoration projects can be divided into two broad categories: context-based and process-based factors. The former concern the context in and about which the project is designed and implemented, while the latter concerns the process adopted for planning, designing, implementing and undertaking the post-implementation phases of the project. Factors within each of these categories are equally important in deciding the fate of the project.

The identification of these factors has important implications for defining the Do’s and Don’ts with regard to best river restoration practices. First and foremost, a river restoration project must always be developed on the basis of a holistic analysis of the ‘context’. This should consider four important dimensions: Ecological, Political, Economic, and Social and cultural. The contextual factors set the stage for the project, while the ‘process-based’ factors determine how well the project will be planned, designed, implemented and followed-up in post-implementation phases. The process-based factors should consider following dimensions: Technical, Project processes, Social, and Financial planning and resources.

The study showed that river restoration projects classified as ‘successful’ have strong roots in one or more of the above factors, while those that have failed to be implemented or have failed in terms of results have neglected more than one of the crucial factors listed above. If river restoration efforts in the BSR are to bear fruits and lead to improvement in the stocks and status of sea trout and other salmonids, it is important to overcome these weaknesses and adopt only the Best possible Practices.

The lead author of the report is Dr Nandita Singh, Water Centre for Innovation, Campus Roslagen (UCV-CR), Norrtälje, Sweden.

To dowload the full report plaese klick here.

1. A successful restoration project is recommended to thoroughly follow order, tasks and duties of the sequential 5 phases of the restoration project process (1: Initiation, 2: Preliminary survey, 3: Project planning, 4: Implementation, 5: Post-Implementation)
2. A well-managed and coordinated cohesive project team is needed.
3. Rivers and locations for restoration need to be selected carefully based on informed criteria.
4. A restoration process must be preceded by obtaining of sufficient knowledge on the current condition and settings of the river to be restored.
5. Understanding stakeholder’s stakes and organising their engagement is critical for the success of the project.
6. Adequacy of funds and other resources on a long-term basis needs to be secured before the project can start.
7. Restoration measures should be chosen based on their expected utility for the ecological objective relative to the costs, within the possibilities set by resources and legal and practical limitations.
8. Planning and design of the project need to be done with great care, and these must be preceded by sufficient preparatory work.
9. Implementation of the restoration plans and designing needs to be correct and effective.
10. The post-implementation processes of monitoring and evaluation need to be carried out for determining the project success and to enable adaptive management of the river.

These bullet points are further developed and explained in the report (Link).

Download the report

The results of the pilot study show that fishing tourism can have significant positive impact on the regional economy. More than 11 000 anglers visited the Kurzeme region in 2019. The total economic impact of fishing tourism on the economy in the region is estimated to EUR 125 million and if the willingness to pay is included in the analysis, almost EUR 200 million.

The report also includes suggestions and advice on how to promote growth of fishing tourism.

Read the whole report here.

One of the sub-projects under RETROUT addressed the challenge of improving the ecological status of river courses in the BSR, potentially leading to larger fish stocks which is a prerequisite for a growing fishing tourism industry. This sub-project aimed to finally propose “Best Practice Solutions” for efficient and sustainable restoration measures for such rivers with a focus on sea trout. The implementation of river restoration measures (mainly habitat restoration and addressing migration barriers) in selected rivers was evaluated, with an aim to analyze successful and failed/non-realized river restoration projects and identify the underlying factors leading to such outcomes. The study was based on a qualitative analysis of data collected from past river restoration projects planned and/or implemented in potential sea trout rivers flowing to the Baltic Sea. Data from a total of 96 river restoration projects located in 73 rivers in the Baltic Sea Region were collected through a survey conducted in all Baltic Sea Region countries (except Germany). 15 river restoration projects were selected for detailed interview-based case studies.

From this study it emerges that the factors important for success of river restoration projects can be divided into two broad categories: context-based and process-based factors. The former concern the context in and about which the project is designed and implemented, while the latter concerns the process adopted for planning, designing, implementing and undertaking the post-implementation phases of the project. Factors within each of these categories are equally important in deciding the fate of the project.

The identification of these factors has important implications for defining the Do’s and Don’ts with regard to best river restoration practices. First and foremost, a river restoration project must always be developed on the basis of a holistic analysis of the ‘context’. This should consider four important dimensions: Ecological, Political, Economic, and Social and cultural. The contextual factors set the stage for the project, while the ‘process-based’ factors determine how well the project will be planned, designed, implemented and followed-up in post-implementation phases. The process-based factors should consider following dimensions: Technical, Project processes, Social, and Financial planning and resources.

The study showed that river restoration projects classified as ‘successful’ have strong roots in one or more of the above factors, while those that have failed to be implemented or have failed in terms of results have neglected more than one of the crucial factors listed above. If river restoration efforts in the BSR are to bear fruits and lead to improvement in the stocks and status of sea trout and other salmonids, it is important to overcome these weaknesses and adopt only the Best possible Practices.

The lead author of the report is Dr Nandita Singh, Water Centre for Innovation, Campus Roslagen (UCV-CR), Norrtälje, Sweden.

To dowload the full report plaese klick here

The places we will visit are:

Reda, a dam on the Reda River (problem with the accessibility of the area and administrative procedures).

Lębork, fish pass on the Łeba River.

Smołdzino, hydropower station with fish pass on the Łupawa River (the latest fish pass in northern Poland opened in March 2020).

Żelkowo, hydropower station.

Żelkowo, the Łupawa River – a potential site for implementing the RETROUT project recommendations.

Skarszów Dolny, the Skotawa River (natural spawning ground).

Słupsk, the Słupia River (examples restoration solutions in the city centre).

Gdynia, the Kacza River (a potential site for implementing the RETROUT project recommendations).

Agenda for the study visit

The virtual study visit

Short description of the sites

One of the sub-projects under RETROUT addressed the challenge of improving the ecological status of river courses in the BSR, potentially leading to larger fish stocks which is a prerequisite for a growing fishing tourism industry. This sub-project aimed to finally propose “Best Practice Solutions” for efficient and sustainable restoration measures for such rivers with a focus on sea trout. The implementation of river restoration measures (mainly habitat restoration and addressing migration barriers) in selected rivers was evaluated, with an aim to analyze successful and failed/non-realized river restoration projects and identify the underlying factors leading to such outcomes. The study was based on a qualitative analysis of data collected from past river restoration projects planned and/or implemented in potential sea trout rivers flowing to the Baltic Sea. Data from a total of 96 river restoration projects located in 73 rivers in the Baltic Sea Region were collected through a survey conducted in all Baltic Sea Region countries (except Germany). 15 river restoration projects were selected for detailed interview-based case studies.

From this study it emerges that the factors important for success of river restoration projects can be divided into two broad categories: context-based and process-based factors. The former concern the context in and about which the project is designed and implemented, while the latter concerns the process adopted for planning, designing, implementing and undertaking the post-implementation phases of the project. Factors within each of these categories are equally important in deciding the fate of the project.

The identification of these factors has important implications for defining the Do’s and Don’ts with regard to best river restoration practices. First and foremost, a river restoration project must always be developed on the basis of a holistic analysis of the ‘context’. This should consider four important dimensions: Ecological, Political, Economic, and Social and cultural. The contextual factors set the stage for the project, while the ‘process-based’ factors determine how well the project will be planned, designed, implemented and followed-up in post-implementation phases. The process-based factors should consider following dimensions: Technical, Project processes, Social, and Financial planning and resources.

The study showed that river restoration projects classified as ‘successful’ have strong roots in one or more of the above factors, while those that have failed to be implemented or have failed in terms of results have neglected more than one of the crucial factors listed above. If river restoration efforts in the BSR are to bear fruits and lead to improvement in the stocks and status of sea trout and other salmonids, it is important to overcome these weaknesses and adopt only the Best possible Practices.

The lead author of the report is Dr Nandita Singh, Water Centre for Innovation, Campus Roslagen (UCV-CR), Norrtälje, Sweden.

An extended summary of the report is found here

In Sweden, five river restoration projects were implemented during the RETROUT project:

• River Bränningeån: Habitat improvement
• River Erstaviksbäcken: Replacing a not functioning fish pass with one that allows migration for other fish species, habitat improvement measures upstream the fish pass
• River Vitsån: Habitat improvement after dam removal, habitat improvement in a park
• River Skeboån: Habitat improvement, plans for fish pass, hydrological investigation
• River Moraån: Habitat improvement

To read more about the restoration pleas klick here: River restoration in Sweden

The river restoration in Poland took place in Reda River as a construction of the planned fish pass and supporting infrastructure.

To read more about the restoration pleas klick here: River restoration in Poland

The river restoration in Lithuania took place in Smeltalė river as a restoration of biopond system and habitat improvement.

To read more about the restoration pleas klick here: River restoration in Lithuania