Aoos/Vjosa river is one of the last wild free flowing rivers in Europe. The river springs from Metsovo in Greece and discharges into the Adriatic Sea in Albania.
The Adriatic Sea is the entry point for the European eel (Anguilla anguilla), which reproduces in the sea, but feeds and reaches maturity in inland waters. It enters the river and travels upstream up until the river’s springs. It returns to the sea after 2-3 years. According to the IUCN Red List, it is a critically endangered species.
River dams are one of the main threats for the European eel. Their existence interrupts the species life cycle. In Aoos/Vjosa hydropower plants are planned for construction.
MedINA and Pindos Perivallontiki are the main Greek partners of the project ‘Saving Europe’s last free flowing wild river – Vjosa/Aoos’.