Welcome

This international symposium brings together scientists, experts, and other stakeholders to share best practices on restoring freshwater habitats and improving our understanding of the status of migratory fishes.

Contact: restofish@luke.fi

Theme

Major ecosystem changes resulting from climate and land-use alterations often have severe negative impacts on diadromous species. The stock sizes of, for example, Atlantic salmon, European eel, sea trout, and sea lamprey have already declined across their range, resulting in diminished ecosystem contributions and opportunities for fishing. Securing the future of diadromous fish populations depends on enhancing the recruitment and reproduction of these species despite these declines. Habitat restoration plays a crucial role in the solution, improving the availability and quality of freshwater and marine habitats that are critically important for diadromous fish populations.

With the implementation of the EU Habitat Restoration Law, Water Framework Directive and other initiatives across the international range of diadromous species, a significant increase in restoration efforts is anticipated. However, the outcomes of these efforts do not always meet expectations. Furthermore, restoration guidelines are often driven by intuition rather than scientific evidence, with inadequate attention to the key factors causing habitat bottlenecks for fish. There is limited prioritisation and often little or no monitoring before, during, or after restoration activities. This calls for a review of successful restoration practices, in terms of their effects on fish stock status and on contributions to enhancing sustainable use.

This primarily in-person symposium is aimed at all those involved in habitat restoration and those interested in the broader impacts of restoration on diadromous stocks and fishing opportunities. The goal is to synthesize evidence of both restoration successes and failures and based on this to develop science-based guidelines for a better integration of restoration projects into stock assessments and advice on sustainable uses. We also aim to publish a special issue of peer-reviewed scientific papers.

We invite abstracts on all key themes covered by the symposium, which include:

1. Restoration of diadromous species' habitats: lessons learned from successes and failures

This session explores real-world experiences in habitat restoration for diadromous fishes, highlighting both successes and failures. Through case studies and comparative analyses, participants will discuss key ecological, technical, and management factors that determine restoration outcomes, identifying lessons learned and best pathways to improve future initiatives.

2. Social aspects of restoration, what are the hurdles to implementation and how do we solve them?

Restoration is not only an ecological challenge but also a social one. This session focuses on the human dimension of restoration, including governance barriers, stakeholder engagement, funding constraints, and public perception. Presentations will address strategies to overcome socio-political and economic hurdles to ensure effective and equitable restoration of diadromous fish habitats.

3. Best practices and latest tools to design and monitor restoration — how do we set the target?

Defining realistic objectives and assessing outcomes are critical steps in restoration planning. This session presents state-of-the-art methodologies and technologies — from remote sensing to ecological modelling and bioindicators — used to design, implement, and monitor restoration projects. Discussions will centre on how to define restoration priorities and establish clear, measurable targets that align with ecological and management goals.

4. Climate-smart habitat restoration for diadromous fishes

As climate change reshapes aquatic ecosystems, restoration efforts must adapt. This session examines climate-smart approaches that enhance the resilience of diadromous fish populations and their habitats. Topics include integrating climate projections into restoration design, improving habitat connectivity, and applying adaptive management to mitigate the impacts of warming, altered hydrology, and extreme events.

Getting here

Oulu Airport is approximately 22 km from the campus. Taxis (approx. €40–55) take about 20 minutes. Bus line 8 offers a direct connection to the university area, with a stop near the symposium venue at Pentti Kaiteran katu 1. The journey takes around 45–50 minutes.

Finnish Railways (VR) operates multiple train services each day. Timetables for trains can be found online.

Getting around

Oulu boasts excellent public transportation and one of the most extensive cycling networks in the world. During summer, local buses, rental bikes, and e-scooters provide convenient and sustainable ways to explore the city. For route planning and ticket information, visit the Oulu Regional Transport website.

Summer weather

In late June and early July, daytime temperatures in Oulu typically range between 16°C and 20°C, while nighttime temperatures can drop to around 12–14°C. Thanks to the northern latitude, daylight lasts nearly around the clock at summertime.

Virtual attendance

The symposium is organised primarily in-person. Scientific presentations may be followed online without a cost, but speakers are expected to be on site except in case of illness. Interactive sessions and workshops are not available online.

Programme

The programme of the symposium will include scientific oral and poster presentations, as well as interactive sessions that dive into the use of decision support tools for dam removal projects and developing guidelines for the assessment and management of populations in restored habitats. Not forgetting informal discussions over breaks and visits to locally significant restoration sites.

Side Event

On Monday, 29 June, a Workshop on Thermal Infrared Imaging of Rivers will be organised as a side event of the symposium.

Synopsis:

Cold-water refuges are critical for ensuring the persistence and conferring resilience of cold-water fishes in a changing climate. Identifying the locations of cold-water patches that may serve as refuges for these species is an essential first step in prioritizing restoration actions or implementing protections for these critical fish habitats. The use of aerial thermal infrared (TIR) imagery has proven extremely effective in mapping at large (by helicopter) or small (by drone) spatial extents within rivers and tributaries.

The Atlantic Salmon Federation (Valerie Ouellet, VP Research & Environment), in collaboration with the TITAN-RIVERS network, plans to bring TIR experts (Steve Dugdale, University of Nottingham, UK; Baptiste Marteau, Université de Rennes 2, France; and others) to host a one-day workshop. The objective of the workshop is to equip the participants with the knowledge and understanding required to develop a thermal infrared imaging system to conduct surveys of nearby rivers, including camera platform options, appropriate thermal and optical imaging cameras for image acquisition, and workflows and techniques for analysing the acquired data, as well as examples of applications.

Participation will be limited to 40 people, and registration will open alongside the symposium registration.

Excursions

The symposium includes two field visits combining cultural and ecological aspects. Hupisaaret City Park has great cultural-historical significance, and it has been classified as a regionally important landscape in Finland. The park consists of several small islets, with a stream network that is nearly 2 km in length. It represents a locally significant success story in habitat restoration for the endangered sea trout, offering a unique atmosphere for educational, recreational and research purposes. In the Iijoki watershed, we will visit sites of intense habitat restoration efforts, such as River Livojoki. Bus transportation to these sites will be organized from Oulu on the last day of the symposium.

Registration

The registration will open in March 2026 for attendees whose abstracts were accepted in the programme, and in April for attendees without a presentation if slots are available, and close on 31 May 2026 18:00 CET. Early registration is highly recommended, as attendance will be capped at 100 people.

Registration fees are:

Letters of invitation can be provided for registered attendees, please contact restofish@luke.fi if you require a letter for a visa application.

Registration

ICES-sponsored travel grants

As part of ICES co-sponsorship of the symposium, a call for travel grants targeted for early career scientists (ECS) is open to applications via the abstract submission form.

The funding is contingent on an accepted oral or poster presentation at the symposium. Additionally, priority is given to ECS applicants affiliated with institutes in ICES member countries.

The decisions on travel grants will be announced with the decisions of selected abstracts. A maximum amount of 1000 euros / person can be applied, including registration fee, accommodation, and travel costs.

Early career scientist travel grants can only be transferred to the selected participants when they arrive on site. Please note that symposium organizers cannot reimburse travel expense losses due to COVID-19 or other reasons, and this coverage and travel insurance protections should be supported by the home institutions of the symposium participants. As such, you are strongly encouraged to discuss your travel arrangements with your home institutions prior to booking travel and accommodation, and wherever feasible, book re-fundable options. The grant is contingent on in person attendance at a physical symposium.

Accomodation

Lapland Hotels Oulu (with room quota till 30 May 2026)

Address: Kirkkokatu 3, Oulu

Room rates/night: 124 €/standard single room, 144 €/standard double or twin room. Rates include a delicious breakfast, use of the guest saunas and swimming pool and VAT.

Please make your reservation at Lapland Hotels Oulu using the reservation code: ALLRESTOFISH.

The reservation can be done also by phone (+358 8 881 1110 ) or via email oulu@laplandhotels.com.

If you require an accessible room, please mention this when making your reservation to ensure availability.

There is a limited amount of rooms to be booked with special rate.

Sokos Hotels (with room quota till 30 May 2026)

Original Sokos Hotel Arina (address: Pakkahuoneenkatu 16, Oulu)

Room rates/night: 140 €/standard single room, 160€/standard double or twin room. The rates are including buffet breakfast, evening sauna, free usage of fitness room and WiFi. Rates include all taxes and fees (VAT).

Rooms can be booked directly on our website https://www.sokoshotels.fi/en by using reservation code BRESTOFISH.

The reservation can also be made by phone +358 8 312 3111 or via email sales.oulu@sokoshotels.fi.

If you require an accessible room, please mention this when making your reservation to ensure availability.

There is a limited amount of rooms to be booked with special rate.

Radisson Blu (with room quota till 21 June 2026)

Address: Hallituskatu 1, Oulu

Room rates/night: 152 €/standard single room, 182€/standard double or twin room.

The prices include a buffet breakfast, customer sauna and use of the gym. Wireless wi-fi is available to our customers free of charge in both rooms and public areas. Prices include VAT.

Please make your reservation at www.radissonhotels.com using the reservation code: RFISH26.

The reservation can be done also by phone (020 1234 730 ) or via email sales.oulu@radissonblu.com.

If you require an accessible room, please mention this when making your reservation to ensure availability.

There is a limited amount of rooms to be booked with special rate.

ECONOMICAL OPTIONS

(no room quota, no special rates)

• Design Guesthouse Laanila, address: Nokkalantie 2, Oulu
• Nipu -Beside City Center, address: Ratakatu 9, Oulu
• Oulu hotelli Oy, address: Asemakatu 41, Oulu
• Greenstar Hotel Oulu, address: Uusikatu 26, Oulu
• Hostel Cafe Huvila, address: Panimotie 1, Oulu

Organizers

Scientific Committee

• Chair: Johan Höjesjö, Gothenburg University
• Carlos Alexandre, University of Evora
• Joana Boavida-Portugal, University of Evora
• Anne Cooper, ICES
• Johan Dannewitz, SLU
• Pauliina Louhi, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
• Hannu Marttila, University of Oulu
• Hugo Maxwell, Marine Institute
• Raisa Nikula, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
• Jenni Prokkola, Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke)
• Alan Walker, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas)
• Karen Wilson, University of Southern Maine

Local organization committee

Natural Resources Institute Finland

Jenni Prokkola, Raisa Nikula, Pauliina Louhi, Riku Rinnevalli, Minna Oksanen

University of Oulu

Hannu Marttila, Stefan Prost

How to become a sponsor?

To become a sponsor of the symposium, please contact restofish@luke.fi. All sponsors and partners will have their logo attached to our website and programme of the symposium and displayed during the meeting. Exhibitions may be set up for the duration of the meeting.