Fish forest
A fish forest is a man-made shelter made of branches and wood in the water, created specifically to protect young and small fishes. Robert Barker, The Hague’s Alderman for Public Space, Animal Welfare, and the Environment together with Stijn van Boxmeer, member of the Delfland Water Board (Hoogheemraadschap Delfland), officially opened the new fish forest in the Madestein recreational park in The Hague.
Fish forests are used in ponds, canals, and lakes to improve fish populations and to reduce the impact of natural predators such as cormorants. A fish forest is usually made of pruned wood or willow branches stacked in the water, or placed into a structure of poles (for example chestnut poles or a steel cage) that holds the wood in place. Fish forests contribute to a healthier ecosystem.
Improving water ecology
The new fish forest is one of the measures being implemented by the Municipality of The Hague together with the Delfland Water Board to strengthen underwater ecology and improve water quality. This is done through the joint development of various Wet Ecological Zones, including nature-friendly banks, floating greenery and fish forests.
“As a municipality, we are doing everything we can to literally give animals—in this case fish—the space they need, as we do here with this beautiful fish forest. It is a way to give our water quality a boost, because it helps create a healthier ecosystem. I’m very pleased with our cooperation with the Delfland Water Board.”
Alderman Robert Barker
Stijn van Boxmeer added: “I’m proud that we were able to realise this fish forest together. As a water board, we are looking at more opportunities elsewhere in The Hague where we can work together to create fish forests and floating green islands. This is part of our joint approach outlined in ‘The State of Our Water’, our shared story in which the municipality and the water board have mapped out the challenges and tasks needed to create cleaner, healthier and better water in The Hague.”
Working together for clean and pure water in The Hague
The joint approach ‘The State of Our Water’ has been the basis for plans and measures by the Municipality of The Hague and Delfland Water Board since late 2025, with the goal of creating a climate-resilient city with a strong focus on water. The aim is cleaner, healthier and better water in The Hague’s drains, canals and ponds.
