Barrier Easement

Our method of river barrier easement is the eel rope (see video), a straw helix structure that offers a climbing substrate for young eels to use when facing a river barrier. With approximately 1.2 million river barriers across Europe we cannot hope (or afford) to build bespoke fish passes on each one, so cheap quick methods are essential. Around 70% of these European river barriers are less than 2m in height. These are the structures that are ideal for eel rope installations. Now not all habitat above barriers is favourable to the eel but much of it is and with a cost effective and quick method such as this, projects can afford to install one as a trial. It is important to get eels above barriers as any high concentration paired with slow migration increases the chance of predation, and higher densities also increase the risk of disease. The carrying capacity of a river is also reduced as habitat is restricted by barriers, meaning the eels are competing for fewer resources. In addition to the straw eel rope we also work with mussel spat ropes that work in a similar fashion but are more appropriate for the hard to reach/maintain river barrier.