The houting only lives in the Wadden Sea area, where it feeds, and spawns in the larger watercourses.
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| Once the houting was common and widespread throughout the entire Wadden Sea region from the Netherlands in the south to Skallingen (Denmark) in the north. |
Today, natural populations only occur in the watercourses of south-west Jutland, as well as a single German watercourse where the population is maintained by releases. |
Under these present circumstances, the future of the houting is uncertain. However, today we know the conditions needed for the houting to once again become a common fish in the Wadden Sea. This is what the Houting-project will obtain.
The houting eggs hatch in February/March, and the newly hatched fry are approximately 10 mm long. The fry remains in the watercourse in areas with static water. The fry reach the Wadden Sea in April/May.
The National Forest and Nature Agency and the counties of Ribe and Southern Jutland have designed a management plan for the houting in the hope that it can serve as the basis for ensuring a future for the species.
The survival of the houting is a matter of considerable international interest, and so the EU naturally plays an important part in the project, and the EU LIFE fund has granted 8 mill. Euro for the restoration work.
In addition to the houting, there are other rare species in the rivers running into the Wadden Sea, such as salmon, sea lamprey and river lamprey. All of these are on the Danish "red list" of species in acute danger, and on the EU list of species requiring special protection. These species will also benefit considerably from the initiatives, which will be put into effect to help the houting.