The German Federal Agency of Environment (UBA) published a synthesis report. The report summarizes major findings of the research and discussions undertaken in the German Forum on Fish Protection and Downstream Fish Migration in which the Ecologic Institute played a major role. The report highlights remaining research and development needs that require further investigation and discussion. It is available for download.

The issue of fish protection and downstream fish migration has gained increasing attention in recent years both from an environmental policy perspective and from a technical point of view. In response, the Federal Environment Agency (UBA), with support from Ecologic Institute, organised the Forum on Fish Protection and Downstream Fish Migration. Since 2012, more than 200 stakeholders from across all relevant sectors have actively contributed to the Forum.

The synthesis report focuses on the following topics:

• Behavioral & population biology basic principles for fish protection and downstream migration
• Environmental policy & legal background
• Goals for fish protection and downstream migration
• Technical measures for fish protection and downstream migration
• Functional control of measures and monitoring for fish protection & downstream migration
• Potential for fish damage

As a result of this intensive dialogue process, a common nationwide understanding could be developed on the challenges and possible solutions that need to be considered for fish protection, downstream fish migration and the conservation and establishment of fish populations based on the state of the art technology and knowledge. In the same time, some topics are and will remain controversial. This synthesis paper is the result of discussions taking place in the workshop of the Forum over the course of three years. Following two conferences and five thematic workshops, the participants highlighted improvements to the discussion culture and several positive aspects of the Forum events. These events served as information and discussion platforms on different themes of fish protection and downstream migration. The participants highly recommended continuing this dialogue process.