On Earth Day, April 22, 2025, the 19 National Champions of the Frontiers Planet Prize — a globally renowned research award for sustainability — were announced. THESys member Robert Arlinghaus (Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries and Humboldt University of Berlin) and his team were honoured for their groundbreaking scientific publication on the effectiveness of ecological enhancement of water bodies on fish stocks.
Congratulations!
Professor Jean-Claude Burgelman, Director of the Frontiers Planet Prize, said:
“Given the immense threats to people and the planet, we need bold, transformative solutions that are evidence-based and scientifically sound. Innovative and scalable solutions are the only way to ensure healthy lives on a healthy planet.”
One such solution, falling under the category of “nature-based solutions and ecosystem restoration”, is described in the study by Prof. Robert Arlinghaus and his team: the revitalisation of lakes through the creation of shallow water zones and the introduction of deadwood. Each year, millions of fish are released into water bodies worldwide to strengthen natural fish populations. However, the study — published in the journal Science — shows that this so-called fish stocking practice is not always successful and offers recommendations for improving its effectiveness.
A distinctive feature of Arlinghaus and his team’s study is the strong link between research and practical application, including repeated experiments at the scale of entire lakes conducted in collaboration with fishing practitioners.
Further information: HU Berlin
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