Record breaking season for Utrecht's fish doorbell

Organisers behind the world's first fish doorbell say it's been a record breaking season.

The underwater camera was first set up five years ago to help the different fish species that swim in the canals of the Dutch city of Utrecht.

Internet users who spot any fish waiting at the lock gate can ring a 'digital doorbell' to help the marine life carry on their journey.

This year it was rung more than 200,000 times and thirteen different species of fish were spotted.

The popular site is now taking a break until March 2026.

What's the latest?

The camera has been set up along the river Vecht

The fish doorbell season has been underway for the past 14 weeks, helping a number of aquatic species swim through the canals.

Researchers say that the best time to see the fish is either in the morning or at dusk - when they are at their most active.

This year there were a record 30 million visits to the site from around the world, with thousands of fish safely helped through the waterway.

Experts say that pike, catfish and lots of eels were among them most common types of fish spotted this year - but other species including carp, zander, bleak and river lamprey were also caught on camera!

Why do fish need a doorbell?

Every spring, fish swim upstream around the Dutch city of Utrecht looking for a place to lay eggs.

However, the Netherlands is a country with lots of canals and waterways and, in spring, the lock gates along these canals aren't opened much, which can make it difficult for fish to travel to their breeding grounds.

That's why four years ago experts came up with a plan to help the aquatic animals - a digital fish doorbell!

An underwater camera was installed at the lock which is live-streamed to a website which people can watch anytime of day.

As soon as they spot a fish, viewers can press a digital doorbell on the website to let the lockkeepers know when to open the gates and let the fish through - helping the fish to continue on their route!

The keeper checks if there are enough fish there to open the gates and the fish can swim on their merry way.