Bio-diversity

Due to the deteriorated reproduction conditions, the resources of salmon in rivers have markedly reduced. In general, only 20 larger rivers are suitable for spawning. The major problems of protection of the salmon and the sea trout in Lithuania remain the same: insufficient protection and control of fish migration paths and spawning grounds; insufficient awareness and participation of the public in the work of restoring the species and fighting against poachers. The goal of this project is to restore the population of the salmon that is protected in the European Union, and to ensure its protection in the Rivers Neris-Vilnia and the Rivers Sventoji-Sirvintos basins by involving the local communities in this work. After the Institute of Ecology of Vilnius University had prepared scientific recommendations, 5 new spawning places will be arranged and 10 old ones will be restored, 15 riversides that are 20-50m long will be prepared for introduction, 15 sections of 20-50m long migration paths will be cleared up, about 10,000 marked salmon and sea trout will be released and their monitoring will be carried out within a year. The community and volunteers will be invited to help in protecting spawning grounds and migration paths. Cooperation of the environmental officials will be enlisted. 5 meetings and lectures will be organized; leaflets, posters, an illustrated publication will be printed to increase awareness of the community, and information will be publicized in the mass media. 5 thematic excursions will be arranged for children. Populations of rare and endangered species of fish will be better protected and increased. The initiative of protecting the salmon is expected to be developed in other communities too.

Lithuania