Potential re-establishment of diadromous fish species in the River Scheldt (Belgium)

Abstract

This study (2002) documents on the inland penetration off diadromous fish species into the tidal and non-tidal part of the River Scheldt and on the impact of two lock-weir complexes. Long-term trends in oxic conditions show the river is undergoing a natural recovery process, nevertheless five of ten diadromous species recorded were still restricted to the brackish part of the estuary. Despite poor conditions, five species reached the upper freshwater part of the estuary. Erratic free-flowing conditions at the tidal weir offered limited opportunities for some diadromous species to migrate into the non-tidal part of the river. Upstream migration over the second barrier is almost completely blocked. Rehabilitation schemes to restore self-sustaining populations of diadromous fish in the cross-border River Scheldt need to include the building of fish bypasses and improved wastewater treatment and habitat restoration programmes.