Fish
Explanation
There are fish in the Jeker again. We would have liked to film them at the Reek with an underwater camera, but the water here is too murky to get a clear image of the fish. Luckily, we were able to film a number of videos in the other branch of the Jeker.
Relationship with humans
Why we do what we do
In the Jeker, fish encounter a number of obstacles, such as watermills, weirs, and locks. These watermills can hinder the migration of fish from the Meuse to the Jeker. The water board has, therefore, built fish ladders at all watermills, as can be seen at the Leeuwenmolen. But a greater threat to fish stocks is poor water quality. In the past, industrial waste water and sewage water was discharged into the Jeker river. Fortunately, measures have been taken, such as the introduction of a water treatment plant in Belgium. But water quality remains a major concern as long as pesticides are still found in the water. And as long as the water quality does not improve, vulnerable fish species will not return to the Jeker.
