New pump could save eel and salmon

Dutch company Norit Nijhuis has invented a pump which allows fish to pass inland waterway barriers unharmed, thus preventing massive slaughtering of fish during their migration each year.

The first pump has been installed at a pumping station near Amsterdam.

According to Norit Nijhuis, independent testing results showed that 100% of eel and other scale-less fish can pass the blades unharmed and 97% of scaly fish can.

“We can install this pump – which is developed in association with FishFlow Innovation – at many bottlenecks, without pumping stations having to be reconstructed. The pump can use existing power installations,” said Norit Nijhuis manager Robert Schuuring.