Four years ago, Pontus Lindberg and his brother Tim discovered that there were sea trout in the small stream near their home. But the stream was in poor condition. So they decided to restore it themselves.
“We’ve spent many hours by the stream,” says Pontus.
Text: Amanda Saveland
Sea trout grow up in small streams like the one Pontus and Tim have been working to improve since they were in their early teens. Once the trout have grown large, they migrate out to sea, but then return to the streams after about two years to spawn.
To ensure there are fish available to spawn when the trout swim back up the stream, the brothers have been releasing smolts – that is, young trout that will soon be big enough to make their way out into the Baltic Sea.
“I believe this stream will continue to thrive and contribute to increased fish stocks, which are rather scarce at present,” says Pontus.
Running the project on their own
Pontus and Tim obtained the smolts through Stockholm City’s fisheries management department, and they received permission for the release from the county administrative board, but they have handled the collection and release of the smolts themselves. So far, they have run the entire project on their own, but with guidance from experts and the organisation Swedish Anglers’ Association, which has provided advice.
Among other things, the two brothers have created spawning grounds where sea trout can dig pits to lay their eggs, and removed obstacles to improve water flow.
“You might think that most young people are just into computer games and social media, but I think there are quite a few who are interested in getting involved in things like this, but they just don’t know where to turn,” says Pontus.
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