Questions and Aims of the Project:
Patricia Holm, EAWAG

Investigation on the decline in fish yields

• How can the decline in fish catch and fish stock be clearly documented ?
• How important is the decrease in fish populations ?
• How can health effects on fish best be measured ?
• What are the causes for the decline in fish catch ?
• Are chemical substances or other factors, such as temperature, diseases, morphology of waters, stocking practices, responsible for the decline ? How do these factors interact ?
• Can single compounds or groups of compounds be identified as the most important causes ? Are point sources, such as wastewater treatment plant effluents or diffuse inputs, responsible for the damage ?
  

Investigation on the effects of trace compounds

• How do the potential pollutants impair the fish ? Which organs are affected ? What is the dose-response relation ?
• What importance do endocrine modulating compounds have on fish ?
• How do entire populations react to the health impairment of single fish ? How can laboratory results be transferred to natural systems ?
  

Procedural guidelines

• Identification of a comprehensive approach to eliminate the most important causes for the decline in fish, development of various procedural options adapted to the parties concerned.
• Introduction of specific measures to improve the situation in collaboration with the parties concerned.