In Utrecht, Netherlands local officials have given fish and river crayfish what amounts to a video doorbell that lets them pass through the city’s canals and move on to their spawning grounds.
Each spring, they migrate upstream along the Vecht river, passing through the locks on the city’s Oudegracht canal. Except in recent years, the locks open less frequently, and fish end up spending too much time waiting.
The city has now installed an underwater camera near the lock, livestreaming what’s going on in the water; the lock keeper can open the gates when necessary. The lock keeper told broadcaster NOS that he expects to open the gate at least once a day.
And for anyone who sees what looks like a lot of fish waiting, there’s a bell to push that will alert the keeper to check the screen.
