Difficulties and prospects of fishways in China: An overview of the construction status and operation practice since 2000

Fish passage facilities are an effective means for mitigating the effect of barriers (e.g., dams, weirs, and road crossings) on migrating fishes. Fishways in China were first recorded in 1958. The efficiency of fishways is one of the evaluation indicators of a river ecosystem's health. This paper summarises and analyses China's construction of fishways since 2000. Three typical cases (Changzhou water control project, Laolongkou water control project and Cao'e river gate project) are presented to illustrate the current situation of fishways in China. A discussion is also provided regarding ideological guidance, theoretical systems, technical means (monitoring), research content, legal systems and other aspects to elaborate the deficiencies and challenges of China's fishways. Thus, a number of prospects, such as proposing the design criterion of fish passages, performing basin ecological protection planning, and implementing adaptive management are urgent and necessary for further development of fishways in China.