When the forest group Södra bought the hydropower plant in Karlshammar to secure the water supply for its production, there were demands from the Land and Environmental Court that a fauna passage should be built.
About a year and SEK 17 million later, it was completed and has yielded results during its nine months in operation.
Since September, several thousand fish have swum through the passage.
Both upstream and downstream.
According to Jens Olsson, project manager at Emåförbundet, the passage has been favorable for species that are considered weak swimmers.
- That salmon and sea trout can swim through passages, you know that.
But that perch, bait and bream can also handle this and to such an extent is extra fun.
There are a lot of such species that have swum past.
Idea back after 100 years
This means that the species can retake areas that they did not previously have access to.
This spring, 1200-1500 Idar came to Karlshammar to play in Emån.
- Iden has not had access to these areas for over 100 years, says Jens Olsson.
Can cure fungus
In the autumn, SVT Småland reported on a deadly fungal disease that has spread among the sea trout in Emån.
The Emå Association believes that the fauna passage should also be able to help counteract major attacks of the disease.
- If you have a lot of fish in a small area, the disease spreads more easily.
A watercourse with free passage past all obstacles to migration where the fish can spread over larger areas, you have the lower risk of being affected.
Södra believes that the fauna passage project can be beneficial for the entire region.
- I think it is important for the region that major societal actors are involved and co-create for the region's development.
Just look at this beautiful place, I am sure that it will involve both hiking and some form of tourism, says Christer Thörn, site manager at Södra Cell Mönsterås.