Reconnecting the river for migratory fishes
The catch moratorium,
set in
200 , on sturgeons
in Romania
has a significant
effect on the
recovery of the
species. “I amconvinced
that the
next - years will
bring a significant
improvement of
the situation,”
says gheorghe
Stefan, President
of the Romanian
National agency
for fishery
and aquaculture
(Nafa Romania).
One of the 74 two-monthold beluga sturgeons from this year’s natural recruitment, captured, tagged and released back in the river on June 19, 2008, at Danube River km 118, in Romania, by the Danube Delta Sturgeon Research Group staff Marian Paraschiv and Marian Iani.
A new project proposal aims to reconnect the Lower and Middle stretches of the Danube River, which are currently separated from each other by the Iron Gate dams. The project, entitled ‘Reconnecting the Danube River – the development of economically and ecologically sustainable solutions for managing a natural asset of strategic regional importance’, includes institutions from Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania and Serbia and will run from 2009 to 2011.
Large dams alter river conditions and have significant adverse impacts on natural habitats. When designed and built without adequate attention to natural river functioning, dams cut a river into ecologically isolated compartments, not allowing for the free movement of species. Migratory fishes, such as sturgeons, are particularly badly hit, being unable to move upstream or downstream between their spawning grounds and areas used at other times in their life cycle. The impacts of large dams on the Danube have resulted in catastrophic decline of most of the river’s sturgeon species that are now endangered, with significant regional economic impact – notably on the productivity of Danube fisheries.
The project’s activities will focus on transnational studies, sharing knowledge, a feasibility assessment of technical requirements, and will contribute directly to the achievement of the EU Water Framework Directive. However, the problems to be overcome are complex, requiring action by a range of stakeholders in many countries. Only concerted transnational cooperation can bring about the necessary improvements.
Disclaimer
The information contained in the ICPDR website is intended to enhance public access to information about the ICPDR and the Danube River. The information is correct to the best of the knowledge of the ICPDR Secretariat. If errors are brought to our attention we will try to correct them.
The ICPDR, expert group members, nor other parties involved in preparation of information contained on this website cannot, however, be held responsible for the correctness and validity of the data and information provided, nor accept responsibility or liability for damages or losses arising directly or indirectly from the use of the information conveyed therein.
Only those documents clearly marked ICPDR documents reflect the position of the ICPDR.
Any links to other websites are provided for your convenience only. The ICPDR does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy, availability, or appropriateness to the user's purposes, of any information or services on any other website.
When using the information and material provided on this website, credit should be given to the ICPDR.