The Case of "Sturgeon Advocates"
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© SHUTTERSTOCK THE CASE OF "STURGEON ADVOCATES" THURSDAY, 14/09/2017 - 9am* AN APPROACH TO WINNING FISHERMEN'S SUPPORT FOR STURGEON CONSERVATION IN THE LOWER DANUBE REGION: THE CASE OF "STURGEON ADVOCATES" / (23) HUMAN IMPACTS The Danube remains a key European river system where Approximately 500 fishermen in 34 communities were protection of existing sturgeon is still possible. Commer- engaged in over 750 individual conservations through cial fishing of all wild sturgeon species and marketing of local personal communicators, known as "Sturgeon their related products are currently strictly prohibited in Advocates". Consistent interactions built trust between the Lower Danube region (except for Sterlet in Serbia), WWF and the locals, prompted continuous engagement yet lack of awareness of such bans, inadequate conserva- and allowed for a deep understanding of illegal sturgeon tion incentives, and general distrust in public institutions fishing, suggesting that "Sturgeon Advocates" can be an has led to a loose application of the law. The session will effective vehicle for conservation acceptance. © discuss findings from a transnational LIFE-funded WWF project implemented by WWF in Bulgaria and Romania between 2012 and 2015, which aimed at halting sturgeon poaching and illegal trade in the region through innova- tive community-based conservation mechanisms. *ask a member of the WWF staff for the venue For more information Roselina Peneva Jutta Jahrl Regional Communica- THE EU Project Manager LIFE tions Officer [email protected] [email protected] WAS REPORTED TO BE THE WORLD'S LARGEST IMPORTER OF +43 1 48817 264 +359 885 829886 CAVIAR FOR THE PERIOD 1999-2006 www.danube-sturgeons.org tive community-basedlegal fishing and trade. conservation mechanisms. LIFE FOR DANUBE STURGEONS VISITS TO 22 COMMUNITIES1, 126 FISHING COMMUNITIES MEMBERS engaged in conversations around the project OUR WORK SO FAR IN NUMBERS LIFE FOR 25 VISITS TO 1 REGIONAL WORKSHOP OF ENFORCEMENT OFFICIALS IN 22 COMMUNITIES1, 126 FISHING COMMUNITIES MEMBERS engaged in conversations around the project ROMANIA AND UKRAINE to foster sharing of knowledge , ex- periences and best practice procedures and reinforce trans- DANUBE boundary cooperation and effective cross-border measures PARTICIPATION IN 2 INFODAYS (Brussels & Bucharest) 3 LOCAL COMMUNITIES CELEBRATIONS of Danube STURGEON Day (Prahovo, Vylkove, Belene) 2 PUBLIC EVENTS (Balchik & Bucharest) 1 VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME (Vylkove) S at I SS 8 IN BE L FO UGA © T SHEE H 6 TRAININGS WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT O M AS AUTHORITIES IN UKRAINE H T ASENBERGER-S 151 PARTICIPANTS IN TOTAL H UTTERSTOC STAKEHOLDER COMMITTEE MEETING IN ROMANIA with representatives of NAFA, police, patrol, DDBRA K ¹ Bulgaria-Danube: Belene, Tutrakan, Nikopol, Vidin-Novo Selo, Lomo; Bulgaria-Black Sea: Balchik, Krapec/Durankulak, Varna, Kavarna, Byala, Chernmomorets/Kraimorie-Bourgas; Romania: Fetesti, Borcea, Galati, Giurgeni-Vadu Oii, Jurilovca, Isaccea; Serbia: Prahovo, Radujevac, Negotin; Ukraine: Leski, Vykove. WWF'S WORK ON STURGEONS WWF's Network Sturgeon Strategy was developed through a series of discussions of interested WWF offices and programmes together with external WWF partner organisations, which aims to foster synergies and co- WWW. operation. It maps out the main areas of work for WWF on sturgeon conservation in the next 5 years, focusing on the following: • Combatting overexploitation; DANUBE- • Restoring life-cycle habitats; • Conservation stocking; • Communication (cross-cutting strategy of general importance). The outcomes proposed in the WWF Network Sturgeon Strategy will STURGEONS help to bring resources together for better and more comprehensive protection and restoration of sturgeons worldwide. .ORG © WWF-DCP-BU WWF and their project partners gratefully acknowledge funding support from the European Commission. All con- tent and opinions expressed on this factsheet are solely those of WWF and their project partners. L GARIA LAUNCHED ON.