China used a 480m fish bypass channel to solve migratory habitat blockage on a 134km canal; the result transformed fragmented waterways into thriving aquatic corridors

The opening of the 134.2-kilometer Pinglu Canal in southern China marks a major new connection between the country’s southwest and the Beibu Gulf. But alongside the canal’s role in moving vessels and cargo, engineers have built a much smaller route designed for creatures that cannot simply follow the ships.

Near the Youth Hub, where river and sea traffic meet, a 480-meter dual-channel fishway has been constructed to help aquatic life move through the canal system. Its design combines a vertical-slot fish passage with a separate eel passage, creating routes for different types of aquatic animals. The project reflects an unusual challenge created by large water infrastructure: keeping waterways connected for wildlife while also building them for navigation.