With the active participation of the Latvian public in a citizen science project organised by the BIOR Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment, information has been gathered on more than 100 barriers in Latvia's rivers.

Using the mobile application dabasdati.lv, citizens spent the whole summer reporting obstacles that are difficult for fish to bypass, such as dams and their remnants, culverts, and man-made waterfalls.

Didzis Ustups, a leading researcher at BIOR, highlights that over two months, reports were received about several dams, remnants and other obstacles previously unknown to scientists. The most significant finding was the discovery of an unregistered hydroelectric power plant on the Arona River. The relevant state and municipal authorities have been informed about this obstruction. Information has also been received regarding smaller, previously unidentified barriers.

Scientists are now compiling the information received and will soon inspect the most significant barriers on-site, taking measurements and assessing their impact on the river and fish migration.