THE BELGIAN PROJECT MEUSE SALMON 2000 - 1ST RESULTS, PROBLEMS AND FUTURE-PROSPECTS

In 1983, a hydrobiological study was undertaken to evaluate the possib ility of restoring a salmon run in the Belgian R. Meuse. This investig ation 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. Semo is and R. Samson) of the R. Meuse. Experimental stockings are being pe rformed using parrs and presmolts obtained from Scottish (R. Connon) e ggs reared in a hatchery by the Service de la Peche of the Region Wall onne. 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 pa per shortly reports on the first results of stocking experiments and o n the main problems (water quality in Belgium, fish passes, fish passe s at dams and hydropower stations, professional fishing in The Netherl ands, international status of the R. Meuse) that have to be solved bef ore adult salmon come back to the important potential spawning areas i n Southern Belgium.