Catena - enabler of important water conservation initiatives along the Baltic Sea coastline
With the ‘Fyra åtgärder för mer Östersjöfisk’ (Four measures for more Baltic Sea fish) project, our goal was to improve stocks of pike, perch and trout along the Baltic Sea coast, while promoting a healthier coastal environment with a rich biodiversity and pleasant outdoor environments. The project focus was on the Penningbyån and Bergshamra rivers, and the Koholma and Sänsjö wetlands in Norrtälje municipality, and Sportfiskarna – the Swedish Anglers’ Association led the work that was done.
Collaboration with other companies, interest groups and associations is a key success factor in our sustainability work. In addition to contributing to improved aquatic environments, our ambition is gather valuable knowledge about water conservation – which can be useful both in connection with our existing properties and our new builds.
We have ambitious sustainability targets and, by supporting and collaborating with Sportfiskarna, we learn about ways to develop our own water conservation and biodiversity projects in the most effective way. It is a great example of how collaboration in the field of sustainability enables important projects and leads to results.
- Amanda Thynell, Head of Sustainability at Catena
Penningbyån
Work was done in the late summer of 2023 by anglers using hand power and an electric winch to move rocks around a waterfall to create a lower drop. Fish can now once again pass through the site and utilise the spawning areas upstream.
Bergshamraån
A waterfall in Bergshamraån has created a barrier for fish migration. By adding blocks and stones, the fall height could be levelled out over a longer distance. The work was carried out during autumn 2023 results could be seen the following spring when fish were passing. Upstream, there are large areas of lakes and rivers that coastal fish can now use for spawning.
Sänsjö
The wetland was completed in autumn 2024 and has therefore been filled with water yet. Two regulating devices have been installed, and an 25 metres long diversion together with an 50 metres long embankment have been built. During spring 2025, the 3-hectare wetland will be dammed for the first time.
Koholma
Completed in 2023, but a rainy summer and autumn caused some difficulties with wet masses and soft ground. Sportfiskarna therefore had to supplement by raising some of the ground where the ground had become too low when the deposited earth masses dried out, and repairing some driving damage. First damming in spring 2024.
We are very pleased that Catena wants to contribute to Sportfiskarna’s efforts to help protect the Baltic coast’s fish stocks and ecology.
- Nils Ljunggren, Head of Region Mitt Sportfiskarna
LOVA was the starting point
The current project was already granted government aid with support from the water conservation projects ordinance (LOVA ordinance), but the government’s share of the financing may not exceed 80 percent of the total costs.
With Catena’s financial support the project was able to start.