Restoration of Sturgeon in the Danube
As part of a biodiversity restoration initiative, the Danube has been repopulated with sturgeon. This event took place on May 22, coinciding with the International Day for Biological Diversity.
At the Danube Biosphere Reserve, supported by WWF-Ukraine, 18,000 sterlet fry and 13,900 Russian sturgeon were released. Both species are listed in the Red Book, making their restoration a priority for ecologists.
The event was organized by the Odesa Regional State Administration, the State Fishery Agency, and other partners, with oversight from the fish protection patrol.
The fry were raised at the “Odesa Sturgeon Complex” and have local origins. They are part of a program aimed at restoring rare species in the river.
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), sturgeons are the most vulnerable group of species. Historically, six species have existed in our waters, all of which now require protection due to poaching and habitat destruction. WWF-Ukraine emphasizes that this restocking is a significant step toward reviving their populations.
