Fish like to go anywhere the water is good for them, and sometimes that means urban areas. In the Netherlands the city of Utrecht has installed a doorbell for the fish to get in and out of a part of the city. Yes, a doorbell. Utrecht is a city with canals (no surprise for the Netherlands) and therefore a series of dams. Usually a fish ladder is used to help fish get across barriers but in many contexts and for many fishes the ladder just doesn’t work. Thus, a delightful doorbell has been added.

An underwater camera allows people to watch a livestream of the waterway and the fish that inhabit it. This camera transmits constantly during the migration season 24 hours a day. In 2026, this season will start on 2 March. The idea is that when someone sees a fish waiting to go through, they press the doorbell. Each time someone presses the doorbell a photo is automatically taken of the fish. This allows the fish to be tracked but is also a great way for people to try and identify the fish they have seen as well as learn more about that species.

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