Implementation of the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme project “Fish Reconnect – Cross-border solutions for fish migration, habitat restoration and citizen-based biodiversity data collection” has begun
Description of the project “Cross-border solutions for fish migration, habitat restoration and citizen-based biodiversity data collection“
Project title: “Cross-border solutions for fish migration, habitat restoration and citizen-based biodiversity data collection”
Project No.: LL-00356
Project acronym: Fish Reconnect
Programme: Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027
Project duration: 01.07.2026 – 30.06.2028
Total project budget: EUR 1,008,320.83 (including EUR 806,656.66 co-financing from the European Regional Development Fund)
Funding of the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”: EUR 110,275.00 (including EUR 88,220.00 from the European Regional Development Fund and EUR 22,055.00 co-financing)
Summary of the project objectives, activities and expected results
Fish migration in Latvian and Lithuanian rivers is hindered by dams, culverts and other man-made barriers that limit access to spawning and nursery grounds, degrade aquatic habitats and reduce river connectivity and biodiversity in transboundary river basins. Fish populations and river ecosystems are also affected by climate change, land-use impacts and other human activities.
At the same time, monitoring approaches and available data on fish populations, migration barriers and recreational fishing differ between Latvia and Lithuania, making coordinated and evidence-based cross-border river management more difficult.
The aim of the project is to restore fish migration routes and improve aquatic habitats in the Bārta/Bartuva River basin, strengthening river connectivity, ecological continuity and biodiversity in Latvia and Lithuania.
The project will identify, map and assess fish migration barriers, develop harmonised monitoring methods and establish a shared GIS-based information system to support evidence-based river restoration planning. Monitoring of fish populations, habitats, water quality and hydromorphological conditions will be carried out to ensure comparable data in both countries.
Based on joint assessments, the partners will implement pilot actions in Latvia and Lithuania, demonstrating practical solutions for improving fish migration and river connectivity. Pilot measures may include the removal or adaptation of migration barriers, such as culvert reconstruction, full or partial removal of obsolete dams, or nature-like bypass solutions.
The project will also develop joint methodologies, guidelines and practical solutions for assessing, prioritising and addressing migration barriers. The experience gained through the pilot actions and the solutions developed will be transferable to other rivers and river basins and may be integrated into future river management and restoration planning.
The project will also promote public involvement in river conservation through educational events, communication campaigns and citizen science activities. The digital platform “Mana Cope” will be further developed, enabling citizens to report not only fish catches but also potential migration barriers and their locations. These data will complement scientific and institutional monitoring and improve data availability on river conditions.
The project will strengthen cooperation between water management authorities, municipalities, protected area managers, researchers and other relevant institutions. By combining scientific research, practical river restoration measures, digital solutions, pilot actions and public involvement, the project will provide transferable and practical solutions for biodiversity conservation and sustainable river management across the Programme area.
After the project ends, the practical use of the developed methodologies, guidelines and solutions in river management and fish migration restoration will be promoted. Long-term cross-border cooperation between the project partners will also be strengthened through continued exchange of knowledge, monitoring data and experience, as well as support to municipalities and other institutions applying the project solutions.
The Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”, as the Lead Partner of the project, will be responsible for overall project coordination, financial management, partner cooperation, communication with the Programme authorities and monitoring of project results. BIOR will coordinate the identification, mapping and assessment of fish migration barriers in the Bārta/Bartuva River catchment and, together with the project partners, will contribute to the compilation of existing biological and environmental data, hydromorphological surveys, fish population and habitat assessments, and ecological monitoring. The institute will provide scientific expertise for the selection of pilot sites and appropriate restoration solutions and for the preparation of pilot activities, as well as contribute to the development of joint methodologies, practical guidelines and recommendations. BIOR will also participate in knowledge-exchange, public information and educational activities and provide scientific input to activities related to the Mana Cope digital solution.
Project partners
- Lead Partner – Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR” (Latvia)
- State LLC “Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre” (Latvia)
- Klaipėda University (Lithuania)
- Kurzeme Planning Region (Latvia)
- Latvian Rural Advisory and Training Centre, Ltd (Latvia)
- Lithuanian Fund for Nature (Lithuania)
- Directorate of Žemaitija Protected Areas (Lithuania)
Fish Reconnect Project Manager at [k1]Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment “BIOR”
Inta Dimante-Deimantoviča
More information about the project is available on the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme website: https://latlit.eu/theprojects/fishreconnect/
This publication has been prepared within the framework of the project “Cross-border solutions for fish migration, habitat restoration and citizen-based biodiversity data collection” (project acronym “Fish Reconnect”, project No. LL-00356), co-financed by the European Union through the Interreg VI-A Latvia–Lithuania Programme 2021–2027. The content of this publication is the sole responsibility of Kurzeme Planning Region and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.
More information about the Programme: www.latlit.eu
Information prepared on 08.10.2026
