The European Fish Hazard Index – An assessment tool for screening hazard of hydropower plants for fish

Abstract Hydroelectricity is critical for decarbonizing global energy production, but hydropower plants affect rivers, disrupt their continuity, and threaten migrating fishes. This puts hydroelectricity production in conflict with efforts to protect threatened species re-connect fragmented ecosystems. Assessing the impact of on fishes will support informed decision-making during planning, commissioning, operation facilities. Few methods estimate mortalities single passing through turbines, no commonly agreed tool assesses hazards fish populations. The European Fish Hazard Index bridges this gap. assessment screening ecological risk considers constellation specific effects plant design operation, sensitivity mortality overarching conservation environmental development targets a river. Further, it facilitates mitigation new existing various types across Europe.