The LIFE Águeda project (conservation and management of migratory fish in Vouga hydrographic basin) environmental problem is the hydromorphological changes in watercourses, that make it impossible the fish migration from this habitat. Ecological status is unfavourable within the meaning of the Water Framework Directive (WFD). Taking WFD perspective of intervention, the project aims to overcome the following problems:

• longitudinal discontinuity of the Águeda and Alfusqueiro River, ensuring habitat renaturation and recreation, and WFD favourable ecological status, for populations of migratory fish species such as European eel (Anguilla anguilla), allis shad (Alosa alosa), twaite shad (Alosa fallax) and sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus), which represent important fishery resources. This approach will benefit the conservation of another endemic species of Portugal, with distribution restricted to the Vouga and Esmoriz basins (Costa de Prata Lamprey, Lampetra alavariensis).
• inability of the Grela Hydroelectric Plant (on the Vouga River), through the translocation of European juveniles eels (Anguilla anguilla) and their subsequent release into restored sections of the Águeda and Alfusqueiro rivers, contributing to the Management Plan of the European Eel (Regulation (EC) No 1100/2007 - establishing measures for the recovery of its stock).