ProtectFish Coordinator Niels Jepsen interviewed by Danish online newsletter EcoTech
On 28 January 2025, Niels Jepsen, ProtectFish project coordinator and DTU Aqua representative, was interviewed by ECOTECH journalist J. L. Hjorth-Svendsen. This online newsletter is dedicated to discussing biodiversity and ecosystems. Its primary readership includes public authorities, corporations, and organisations engaged in biodiversity matters.
During the interview, Niels emphasizes that several EU freshwater species (incl. grayling) are endangered, with a major decline in populations as result. “A major reason for this is the predation pressure from cormorants”, Niels added. The icy 2010 winter in Denmark is according to him a clear turning point. As the cold “forced the cormorant further inland and away from the coastal areas in search of food”.
The ProtectFish project coordinator underlined that specific freshwater species, including grayling, snail, and salmon, are classified as “protected” under the EU’s Habitat’s Directive. However, “the current protection of the endangered freshwater fish is insufficient”.
Monitoring freshwater species is not properly done according to Niels
“The grayling and salmon are completely protected like the hazel mouse by the Habitats Directive, but the fish populations are not even monitored…you don’t even know how many of them there are. No authority does something. It seems as they don’t care about the fish”,says Niels. The lack of periodic monitoring of freshwater fish populations leads to a difficulty to evaluate their evolution and how they are affected by e.g. predation.
This is why, the ProtectFish project has a strong monitoring component. It also aims at studying fish & cormorant populations interactions to generate knowledge-based recommendations for balanced, integrative and adaptive river biodiversity management tools. More information on ProtectFish general objectives via this link.
ProtectFish aims at saving the fish
During the interview, Niels outlined the primary objectives of ProtectFish and the importance of investing in research on the decline of freshwater species from a European perspective. “Protect Fish is simply about saving these fish, which are now so endangered in Europe’s waterways that you have to do something,” he argues.
To conclude the interview, Niels underlined that “it’s not okay for the fish to be treated so step-motherly, because they are part of our biodiversity too and should be allowed to be here”.
More information
- You can read the full interview via this link (in DK): https://pro.ing.dk/ecotech/artikel/niels-skal-finde-loesning-paa-betaendt-skarv-dilemma
- More information on the project’s goals & ambitions – About the project – Protectfish
- Information on the project’s partners – Project team – Protectfish