Economic and policy considerations regarding hydropower and migratory fish

Environmental standards have rarely been applied for promoting the joint production of hydropower and migratory fish. The objective of this study was to review existing research results on the effectiveness and costs of alternative measures improving fish migration, which are necessary for the development of environmental standards. The ranking of alternative measures indicates that cost-effective combinations of measures are case-specific and highly dependent on measure design, implementation and maintenance. In addition to tailored ex ante cost-effectiveness analyses, other preconditions for cost savings include effective and affordable monitoring and enforcement, and cooperation among power companies that share water-use rights within a river basin as well as among other stakeholders, such as the local community, fishermen and recreational users.