ICPR – International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine

Salmon can again pass the Haringvliet dam (NL) on their way up into the Rhine and the Meuse - A milestone in international water protection

​​​​​​​As from 15 November 2018, the way from the North Sea into the rivers Meuse and Rhine is again open for salmon at sufficient runoff. Salmon may again reach their home waters, where they reproduce naturally. All depending on the discharge, one or more gates of the Haringvliet dam (south of Rotterdam) will also be open during high tide. For the first time for 50 years… The dam had been built in 1971 as a protection against storm tides.

This is an important milestone for the two rivers, for the International Rhine Commission and the International Meuse Commission. Both commissions are actively working on the enhancing fish habitats and improving their network. Also, ecologically intact waters are more resilient towards climate change and its consequences.

During the official opening, Mrs. Martine Rohn-Brossard, President of the ICPR underlined: “Such great targets can only be achieved with a joint political will, good cooperation of all states concerned, great efforts of many institutions and parties interested. This opening of the Haringvliet dam is a milestone on the way towards sustainably restoring the Rhine and the Meuse.”

Further information

International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR)
Anne Schulte-Wülwer-Leidig
http://www.iksr.org

Short information

As Rhine bordering countries, Switzerland, France, Germany and the Netherlands as well as Luxemburg and the European Community co-operate within the International Commission for the Protection of the Rhine (ICPR) on the basis of a treaty under international law. The President (at the time being Mrs. Martine Rohn-Brossard from Switzerland) and the different ICPR fora are supported by the international staff of the permanent secretariat in Koblenz (Germany). Furthermore, the secretariat gives support to the countries in the Rhine watershed when implementing the European Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC) and the European Directive on the Assessment and Management of Flood Risks (Directive 2007/60/EC). To this end, cross-border co-operation was extended to Austria, Liechtenstein, Italy and the Belgian region Wallonia. The working languages of the ICPR are German, French and Dutch. For detailed information on the ICPR please browse to the ICPR website www.iksr.org.