Enhancing Fish Passage Efficiency: Lessons from UHE Porto Primavera’s Fish Ladder

Sergio Makrakis (), Francisco Javier Sanz-Ronda, Francisco Javier Bravo-Cordoba, Lucileine de Assumpção Hartmann, Wane Cristina Picanço Fortunato, Hudson Luiz Moret Borghezan, João Henrique Pinheiro Dias and Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis
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Sergio Makrakis: Research Group on Technology in Ecohydraulic and Conservation of Fisheries and Hydric Resources-GETECH, Postgraduate Program in Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Engineering, Western Paraná State University-UNIOESTE, Toledo 85903-220, Brazil
Francisco Javier Sanz-Ronda: GEA-Ecohidráulica, Area of Hydraulics and Hydrology, Department of Agroforestry Engineering, University of Valladolid, 34004 Palencia, Spain
Francisco Javier Bravo-Cordoba: GEA-Ecohidráulica, Centro Tecnologico Agrario y Agroalimentario, 34004 Palencia, Spain
Lucileine de Assumpção Hartmann: Research Group on Technology in Ecohydraulic and Conservation of Fisheries and Hydric Resources-GETECH, Postgraduate Program in Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Engineering, Western Paraná State University-UNIOESTE, Toledo 85903-220, Brazil
Wane Cristina Picanço Fortunato: Research Group on Technology in Ecohydraulic and Conservation of Fisheries and Hydric Resources-GETECH, Postgraduate Program in Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Engineering, Western Paraná State University-UNIOESTE, Toledo 85903-220, Brazil
Hudson Luiz Moret Borghezan: Postgraduate Program in Conservation and Management of Natural Resources, Western Paraná State University-UNIOESTE, Cascavel 85819-110, Brazil
João Henrique Pinheiro Dias: Fish Ecology Laboratory-Pirá (Collaborating Researcher), São Paulo State University, Ilha Solteira 15385-000, Brazil
Maristela Cavicchioli Makrakis: Research Group on Technology in Ecohydraulic and Conservation of Fisheries and Hydric Resources-GETECH, Postgraduate Program in Fisheries Resources and Fisheries Engineering, Western Paraná State University-UNIOESTE, Toledo 85903-220, Brazil

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: Dams severely affect aquatic environments and block the longitudinal migration of fish. In order to mitigate the negative effects generated by these developments, fish passes, or fishways, are implemented in dams with the purpose of restoring river connectivity and allowing the movement of migrants. Nevertheless, fishways in neotropical areas often face design and construction issues that can reduce their efficiency and selectively disadvantage species with limited swimming capabilities. This study analyzes how a fish ladder on the Paraná River influences the black armored catfish ( Rhinelepis aspera ), a benthic, long-distance migratory species important to commercial fisheries. A total of 200 individuals were PIT-tagged and monitored for four months. The results showed that although many fish successfully located the fishway, only a small portion (3.5%) managed to complete the ascent. The interaction between the hydraulic characteristics of the fishway and the fish condition factor played a significant role in ascent performance. Our findings underscore the importance of assessing fishway suitability for benthic neotropical species to support conservation efforts in the Upper Paraná River Basin. To improve passage rates for R. aspera , we recommend optimizing flow conditions by adjusting orifice and notch configurations, incorporating roughness elements, and modifying resting pool designs. These adaptations would reduce energy expenditure for ascending fish, enhancing fishway performance and contributing to the sustainability of migratory species in this region.

Keywords: armored catfish; migration; fishways; neotropics; fisheries conservation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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