We’re all looking for a way to make the world a better place, and what better way to do that than to open the door for some fish. The city of Utrecht in the Netherlands has established a project called vis deurbel — “fish doorbell” in Dutch — which features a livestream camera that keeps migrating fish in the rivers and canals from being captured by predators. Volunteer viewers can watch the fish doorbell livestream from anywhere in the world, and when they spot a fish, send a lock keeper for the dam a signal that there are fish waiting to swim through, helping to guide them on their journey. So, how does the doorbell actually help? During migration season, a number fish species (pike, perch, eels, etc.) use waterways in the Netherlands to swim upstream. They help the ecosystem in the process by eating aquatic insects and helping to maintain good water quality. The depths of the waters can make it hard to spot migrating fish, and predators often get to them first. That’s where the fish doorbell comes in. By giving these fish a helping hand……or fin……residents and wildlife enthusiasts around the world can keep these swimmers from danger and protect the waterways all at the same time. Last year, over 10,000 fish were let through the dam, thanks to volunteers ringing the doorbell. For those who are eager to give it a try, head over to https://visdeurbel.nl/ and start the video.
