A Review of the Applications and Challenges of Pulsed Electric Fields in Fish Ecological Protection

ABSTRACT The use of pulsed electric fields (PEF) to regulate fish swimming patterns, especially during migratory channel restoration in dammed rivers, faces significant operational challenges. These challenges can generally be attributed to the multifaceted nature of fish behaviour and limitations in research on physical interception methods. Fish‐blocking electric fences with high controllability are now widely used in hydraulic engineering. However, the effectiveness of PEF barriers depends on several key parameters, including water quality, electrical settings, and hydrodynamic conditions. This review (i) systematically examines the history of PEF development from fish harvesting to fish protection; (ii) summarises the mechanisms by which water quality and PEF affect fish interception efficiency; (iii) reveals the physical and physiological effects of PEF on fish; and (iv) highlights the technical bottlenecks in PEF technology that should be resolved for further practical applications. By synthesising recent research, this work identifies critical operational parameters and prioritises research gaps essential for advancing fish interception strategies.