The Belgian project 'Meuse Salmon 2000'. First results, problems and future prospects

In 1983, a hydrobiological study was undertaken to evaluate the possibility of restoring a salmon run in the Belgian R. Meuse. This investigation resulted in the 'Meuse Salmon 2000' programme that started in 1987. A major part of this programme deals with the assessment of the potential of smolt production in three tributaries (R. Ourthe, R. Semois and R. Samson) of the R. Meuse. Experimental stockings are being performed using parrs and presmolts obtained from Scottish (R. Connon) eggs reared in a hatchery by the Service de la Peche of the Region Wallonne. By the end of 1992, over 220,000 young salmons had been released in the wild, especially in the River Ourthe-Ambleve sub-basin. The paper shortly reports on the first results of stocking experiments and on the main problems (water quality in Belgium, fish passes at dams and hydropower stations, professional fishing in The Netherlands, international status of the R. Meuse) that have to be solved before adult salmon come back to the important potential spawning areas in Southern Belgium.