Lack of fish protection devices at water intake facilities, when taking water from surface water bodies leads to mass death of aquatic bioresources

Due to the excessive consumption of water for the needs of industry, energy, agriculture and other human economic activities, the anthropogenic impact on fish populations, and especially on their young, is growing every year.

Massive loss of aquatic bioresources occurs at water intake structures that are not equipped with effectively functioning fish protection equipment. Downstream migrations of fish from the upper reaches of reservoirs to the lower reaches of hydroelectric power plants are observed, as a result – a significant number of dead and injured fish. Semi-passable and passable species cannot carry out spawning migrations within the river regulated by hydraulic structures.

These problems can already be equated with damage to ichthyofauna from water pollution and deterioration. Therefore, these issues are extremely relevant and need to be addressed immediately.

To this end, water users should be provided with a number of measures to prevent damage to fish stocks, in particular: equipping water intake facilities of enterprises on fishery reservoirs with fish protection devices with an efficiency of not less than 70%; construction of fish crossing structures at dams and watercourses of fishery importance; ensuring optimal fishery releases to the lower reaches of hydro and dams.

Article 17 of the Law of Ukraine “On Fisheries, Industrial Fisheries and Protection of Aquatic Bioresources” prescribes the basic requirements for the protection of aquatic bioresources, which states that the operation of water intakes and other facilities, the use of technology without fish protection devices is prohibited.

Persons operating hydraulic structures of fishery water bodies (their parts) are obliged to maintain fishery and fish protection facilities in proper technical condition, comply with the requirements of technological, veterinary-biological, sanitary-epidemiological measures and carry out their timely repairs.

According to Article 97 of the Water Code of Ukraine during the placement, design, construction, reconstruction and commissioning of enterprises, buildings and other facilities on fishery water bodies, measures are taken to ensure the protection of fish, other aquatic animals and plants and their reproduction.

The main measures to ensure the protection and reproduction of fish stocks, aquatic animals and plants include equipment with fish protection devices of water intakes and other structures in accordance with approved projects, construction of fish farms, artificial spawning grounds, fish culverts, preparation of reservoir beds, etc.

According to Article 98 of the Water Code of Ukraine, its entry into force is prohibited

water intake structures – without fish protection devices and water intake protection zones arranged in accordance with the approved projects.

Administrative and criminal liability is provided for the operation of buildings without environmental protection systems.

Fish protection equipment, structures and devices are engineering structures designed to prevent water intake, injury, and death of young and adult fish.

Fish protection structures are designed on the basis of ichthyological studies, which should determine the species and size of fish to be protected, their distribution at depth, spawning and wintering fish, the flow rate at which the removal of aquatic bioresources from fish protection devices.

Ichthyofauna, as the highest link in the trophic chains of water bodies, is one of the important components of the biota of aquatic ecosystems. Given the dynamics of hydroecosystem indicators caused by the influence of various factors of both natural and anthropogenic nature, the state of ichthyofauna is subject to significant changes. The study of the species composition, number, distribution and dynamics of population characteristics of fish in different hydroecosystems makes it possible to determine the peculiarities of the formation of ichthyocenoses in order to predict their future state and development. Fish productivity is an important ecosystem indicator that provides an understanding of the processes occurring in the hydroecosystem.

Center LTD has extensive experience in the field of design and ecology. Our team includes experienced ichthyologists who carry out ichthyological research and designers who develop on the basis of ichthyological research projects for technical re-equipment of fish protection equipment at the water intake. The company has an accredited laboratory and we can conduct a comprehensive inspection of the water body (analysis of water and sewage). The specialists of Center LTD will consult you and help you prepare a package of documents. More about the service at the link: center-ltd.com.ua or by phone: +380 96 781 05 37

Oleg Bota, Olena Vitrak, Center LTD Company