In 1781 the King of Denmark granted the privilege to catch all fish in River Ribe Å by netting off the entire river downstream the city of Ribe . This privilege is still existing as the last such privilege in Denmark .
The netting rights cover the period where houting occur in freshwater and imposes an increase in houting mortality in adult and sub-adult stages during local migrations between the Wadden Sea and the river. And even though the houting is totally protected and must be released a number of houting dies in the nets and by the handling. Furthermore, a substantial number of salmon are caught in the nets and commercial sold.
With the Houting-project the netting privilege will be purchased from the present holder and voided, where after future netting fishing will be prohibited.