Session C2: The Swiss Way to Re-Establish Free Fish Migration

Abstract: The Swiss way to re-establish free fish migration as a counter-project to a people initiative by fisheries- and non-governmental organizations several modifications of the water protection act (and associated legislation) were enacted in Switzerland in 2011. The main topics of this revision were “space provided for waters”, structural restoration and the refurbishment of hydropower (including fish migration). Therefore the Cantonal authorities were obligated to do a “strategic planning” until 2014 and the necessary funding mechanisms were established. The operators of hydropower plants are fully compensated for the necessary measurements by a consumer-paid fund which is raised by 0.1 Rp./kWh. Until the end of the time-limit (2030) totally 1 Billion SFr. will be invested in the refurbishment of hydropower in Switzerland. During the planning-phase the Cantons identified approximately 1000 hydropower based obstacles to need remediation (Upstream as well as downstream migration resp. fish protection). The strategic restoration plans and the (financial)-requests of the operators have to be authorized by the national regulating office, which is presenting an overview of the new legislation, the major findings of the strategic planning and some first examples of measurement taken