The project aims to restore fish migration routes by identifying and removing barriers in the rivers and streams of Sutjeska National Park and the Upper Drina watershed, enhancing ecological connectivity and revitalising native fish populations across approximately 130 km of river system.
The project area is situated in Sutjeska National Park, the oldest and one of the most biodiverse protected areas in Bosnia and Herzegovina, located in the eastern part of the country within the Upper Drina river basin.
Sutjeska is internationally recognised for its outstanding natural heritage. It encompasses the Perućica primeval forest, one of the last remaining old-growth forests in Europe, harbouring trees over 300 years old and towering up to 60 metres. The park features dramatic landscapes with deep river canyons, clear glacial lakes, and the towering peak of Maglić (2,386 m), the highest mountain in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Its rivers and streams, including the Sutjeska River, are pristine, cold-water habitats that support diverse aquatic life, including populations of brown trout, huchen, and other sensitive fish species, as well as a rich assemblage of macroinvertebrates, contributing to the ecological integrity of the broader Drina catchment and the Dinaric Alps.
| Project status | Live |
|---|---|
| Project type | Barrier identification and prioritisation |
| Country | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| River | Drina |
| Focal species | Brown trout and huchen |
| Organisation | NGO Vrelo |
| Website | vrelotb.org |
The rivers and streams of Sutjeska National Park and the broader Upper Drina basin represent some of the last relatively untouched cold-water ecosystems in the Western Balkans, home to native fish populations such as brown trout and the endangered huchen. However, decades of unmanaged development, including the construction of small barriers, obsolete weirs, and remnants of logging and water management structures, have fragmented habitats and blocked fish migration routes.
This project recognises a unique opportunity to restore the ecological connectivity of these high-value river systems by systematically identifying and removing or mitigating such barriers. Doing so will not only help revitalise native fish populations across approximately 130 km of rivers and streams but also strengthen the resilience of the entire aquatic ecosystem, supporting the conservation objectives of Sutjeska National Park and contributing to regional biodiversity targets.
The primary goal of the project is to restore ecological connectivity in the rivers and streams of Sutjeska National Park and the Upper Drina basin by identifying, prioritising, and removing barriers that obstruct fish migration and natural flow regimes. This directly contributes to improving habitats for native fish species, especially brown trout and huchen, while enhancing the overall integrity and resilience of the aquatic ecosystems.
Expected outcomes include:
A comprehensive inventory and assessment of physical barriers across approximately 130 km of river network, leading to a prioritised action plan for removal or mitigation.
Increased populations and improved genetic exchange of native fish species, contributing to long-term species viability.
Enhanced capacity of local institutions and stakeholders to continue river restoration initiatives, through engagement, technical training, and shared management approaches.
Strengthened ecological functions of rivers that support broader biodiversity and deliver ecosystem services aligned with the conservation objectives of Sutjeska National Park.
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