In the context of fish welfare, manufacturers focus on the development
of fish friendly pumps and turbines. In recent years fish survival, damage
and delayed mortality were tested for several types of pumps and
hydropower station turbines.From these results, fish mortality can be up
to 100%. Different types of pumps were tested with as outcome divergent
results. Lack of migration (eels), presence of fish or insufficient species
composition with a narrow range in length class disturbed earlier
research and insufficient and unreliable conclusions were drawn.
Protocol
Therefore a protocol is developed
by VisAdvies to test and evaluate
fish (friendly) pumps and turbines
with a standardized method. This
guideline gives direction to research
fish survivability of a new pump.
In addition, this is a guideline to
test pumps with one standardized
method to evaluate differences
between pumps and turbines in
fish survivability.
Forced exposure
The standardized method named
“forced exposure” is developed to test
fish survivability in a controlled environ
-ment. Experimental animals will be
used in this guideline belong to
three families of fish that are common
in European waters (Anguillidae,
Cyprinidae and Percidae). Per fish
family 100 individuals divided over
two length classes are forced to
pass through a running pump or
turbine. The pump or turbine will
be tested on differnt scenario's
for example optimal en maximal
speed (rpm) for one elevation level.
After the test, fish survivability is
computed and evaluated to a fish survivability score. This final fish
survivability score will be evaluated for each pump or turbine with one
standardized method. Fish survivability of different pumps can be evaluated
with a uniform test method and fish survivability score.
Contact one of our employees for more information about the protocol.