Reviving Sturgeons in the Danube: New Hopes for Aquatic Life
Recent studies indicate that sturgeons are among the most vulnerable fish groups worldwide.
On May 22, coinciding with International Biodiversity Day, an event took place to restock the Danube with rare sturgeon species. This information was provided by WWF-Ukraine. A total of 18,000 sterlet fry and 13,900 Russian sturgeon fry were released into the river, with 1,900 released thanks to WWF-Ukraine's support. Both species are listed in the Red Book of Ukraine. The event was organized by the Odesa Regional State Administration, the State Fisheries Agency, WWF-Ukraine, with participation from the Odesa Sturgeon Breeding Complex and the Danube Biosphere Reserve.
The fish stocking process was monitored by the fish protection patrol. The fry were raised in the Odesa Sturgeon Breeding Complex and are of Danube origin. This restocking effort is part of a program aimed at restoring sturgeon populations in the Danube basin.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) states that sturgeons are the most vulnerable group of species, with 23 out of 26 species on the brink of extinction. Historically, six species existed in our waters: beluga, sevruga, sterlet, Russian sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon, and ship sturgeon. All of them are included in the Red Book of Ukraine, and the last two have been recognized as extinct in our country. The main threats to sturgeons include poaching, destruction of natural spawning habitats, and dam construction that obstructs migration paths. WWF-Ukraine emphasizes the ecological importance of restocking, as sturgeons are among the oldest river inhabitants, and nearly all their species in Europe are threatened with extinction. Restocking helps restore their natural populations, including those species that have nearly vanished from the wild. Ukraine actively participates in international sturgeon conservation programs, including CITES, and restocking is a part of these efforts.
