The EU-funded ProCleanLakes project organized a dynamic hybrid workshop from 25th to 30th August 2025, bringing together over 30 participants from Norway, Romania, Austria, Croatia, France, Spain, Germany, and Greece. Hosted at UiT – The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø, the workshop also welcomed online participants, fostering a rich international exchange of knowledge and ideas.

Titled “Innovative Approaches to European Lake Management: Monitoring, Pollution Mitigation, and Stakeholder Engagement,” the workshop provided a platform to explore the current status of European lakes, the ecological challenges they face, and emerging technologies for monitoring and remediation. Discussions emphasized nature-based solutions aimed at reducing, mitigating, and ultimately eliminating pollution.

Beyond ecological and technological considerations, the workshop tackled pressing societal questions, particularly those relevant to the younger generation, including the economic potential of lake restoration and the dynamics of turning environmental initiatives into sustainable business opportunities. Participants examined how to create win-win relationships that align the interests of industry, governmental bodies, and local stakeholders, highlighting the critical role of multi-sector collaboration in achieving successful lake management.

The workshop concluded with an insightful field trip to Langvatnet Lake in the historic Sulitjelma ore field, attended by 20 participants. The visit offered a first-hand look at the legacy of mining operations, including chemically stable tailings, natural leaching of heavy metals, and active acid mine drainage (AMD) from the Avalin mine tunnel. Participants observed firsthand the environmental challenges resulting from decades of mining activity and the practical applications of monitoring and remediation strategies to restore lake health.

Looking ahead, ProCleanLakes plans to host a stakeholder meeting at Langvatnet Lake next year, aimed at continuing the dialogue and strengthening collaboration among scientists, policymakers, industry representatives, and local communities. Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to participate in shaping the future of European lake management.

Our recent expedition for the ProCleanLakes project took us on a truly extraordinary journey — from the icy landscapes beyond the Arctic Circle to the sunlit shores near the Ionian Sea. The mission: to survey fish communities in three very different lakes — Langvatnet in Norway, Brates in Romania, and Trichonis in Greece — where future measures will be implemented to improve ecological status.

The goal of the survey was to assess the current condition of these lakes based on their fish communities, which reflect the health and functioning of the entire aquatic ecosystem. Following the Water Framework Directive (Directive 2000/60/EC), fish were sampled using Nordic multi-mesh gillnets deployed from a 6-meter aluminium boat. Nets were set from dusk until dawn at various depths — from the surface to as deep as 75 meters — covering both benthic and pelagic zones. Each fish caught was carefully identified, measured, and weighed, contributing to a detailed picture of each lake’s ecological balance.

The journey itself was as demanding as it was inspiring. Traveling nearly 5,000 kilometers by car between Langvatnet and Trichonis, the team crossed vast distances and climates — from northern tundra to Mediterranean hillsides. Each lake presented its own challenges:

• Langvatnet: Cold and windswept, located in a polar region.
• Brates: Shallow waters averaging around 30 cm, spread across the Romanian plains.
• Trichonis: Greece’s largest natural lake, plunging over 50 meters deep, with a surface area of 9,500 hectares.

Logistics, weather, and long travel days pushed the team to the limit — but perseverance paid off. Against all odds, the survey was completed successfully, and valuable data on the fish communities of these lakes were collected. These results will form a crucial foundation for understanding and improving their ecological status.

Stay tuned for the findings — the results of these challenging yet rewarding surveys are sure to reveal some truly fascinating insights!