MEASURES - Safeguarding Sturgeons in the Danube River Basin

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a close up of a sturgeon

Sturgeons and other migratory fish species represent a historic, economic and natural heritage of the Danube River Basin and are indicators of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems, especially of the functionality of ecological corridors. Their populations have suffered substantially from overfishing, pollution, habitat destruction and disruption of their migration routes. The need for their conservation is recognized at a high political and management level (EUSDR-PA 06, Biodiversity, DRBMP).

MEASURES (Managing and restoring aquatic EcologicAl corridors for migratory fiSh species in the danUbe RivEr baSin)  will pave the way for the establishment of ecological corridors through identifying key habitats and initiating protective measures along the Danube and its main tributaries. A methodology for migratory fish habitat mapping will be developed and tested. A harmonized strategy (including prioritization) for the restoration of ecological corridors will be developed and will support implementation in future management plans.

The 3-year Interreg project within the Danube Transnational Programme and co-funded by the European Union with 12 partner institutions from 8 countries within the Danube River Basin has the follwoing three specific objectives:

  • to identify and protect habitats required by migratory fish,
  • the integration of ecological corridors in policy and management plans, and
  • to secure the gene pool of Danube sturgeons (Sterlet and Russian Sturgeon) by restocking and designing broodstock facilities.


Photo credits: ©Koller

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