May 13th, 2025

Move over, cat videos! The latest internet sensation is a live stream of a dam gate in the Netherlands, where viewers can play a crucial role in fish migration. Forget knocking; now it's all about clicking as online users become virtual gatekeepers, helping fish avoid becoming a predator's easy meal.

The system, dubbed the "Fish Doorbell," was developed after engineers noticed that the dam gate, intended to regulate water flow, had inadvertently become a popular hunting spot for predatory birds and larger fish. Migrating fish, drawn to the open passage, were easy targets as they congregated near the gate.

"It was like a free all-you-can-eat buffet for the local wildlife," says dam operator Jan van der Plons. "We needed a way to help the fish get through safely."

The solution? A live-streaming camera focused on the gate and a big, red, very tempting "Open Gate" button on a website. Now, anyone, anywhere in the world, can log on, watch the fish gather, and with a single click, open the gate, giving them a fighting chance against lurking predators.

"It's surprisingly addictive," admits avid "Fish Doorbeller" and self-proclaimed aquatic traffic controller, Agnes de Vries from Amsterdam. "You see all these little guys waiting, and you just have to help them. It's strangely empowering."

The website, https://visdeurbel.nl/en/ has become a viral hit, attracting thousands of viewers daily. Some even leave humorous comments in the chat, ranging from "Come on, swimmers, you can do it!" to "Release the Kraken… I mean, the fish!"

While the project has a lighthearted appeal, it serves a serious purpose. The data collected from the system helps researchers understand fish migration patterns and optimize gate operations to minimize predation.

"It's a win-win," says van der Plons. "We get valuable data, the fish get a safer passage, and the world gets a new, slightly bizarre, but undeniably captivating online obsession."

So, next time you're bored, skip the cat videos and save some fish! You might just become the internet's next unlikely hero.

https://visdeurbel.nl/en/

Ep325

Image created by AI