WP5 CONSERVATION OF DANUBE FLAGSHIP SPECIES RESPONSABLE PARTNER :DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AUTHORITY

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1 WP5 CONSERVATION OF DANUBE FLAGSHIP SPECIES RESPONSABLE PARTNER :DANUBE DELTA BIOSPHERE RESERVE AUTHORITY

2 Danube Flagship Species White-tailed Eagle ; Danube sturgeons.

3 Danube sturgeons: Beluga (Huso huso); Russian sturgeon(acipenser guldestaedtii); Stellate sturgeon (Acipenser stellatus); Sterlet (Acipenser ruthenus); Acipenser nudiventris; Acipenser sturio;

4 Conservation programs launched by Danubeparks focus on selected flagship species (White-tailed Eagle and Danube sturgeons). Several PA are active in the conservation of these species, they cannot be protected by a single PA. INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTS FOR PROTECTION OF FLAGSHIP SPECIES The Action Plan for Danube sturgeons (supported by Council of Europe) The International White-tailed Eagle conference (2007, Illmitz) stress the necessity of transnational cooperation. MAIN ACTIONS FOR CONSERVATION OF FLAGSHIP SPECIES Based on the recommondations of experts of the task force "birds", a transnational conservation strategy will be drawn up for the White-tailed Eagle, including the implementation of concrete conservation measures within this project; The task force "fish" will focus on the preparation of a transnational LIFE+ project to initiate transnational, coordinated conservation measures for the critically threatened Danube sturgeon. All conservation measures will be accompanied by activities for raising public awareness.

5 DANUBE STURGEONS Six species of sturgeons are native to the Danube River Basin, five are classified as either Endangered or Critically Endangered, and one Vulnerable (Acipenser ruthenus) according to the 2004 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (IUCN 2004). In fact, one of the five endangered species (Acipenser gueldenstaedti, A. nudiventris, A. stellatus, A. sturio, Huso huso), the Atlantic sturgeon (A. sturio), is already extinct in the Danube River Basin.

6 The threats to Danube sturgeons include: Over-exploitation (over-fishing linked with poaching and illegal trade); habitat loss and degradation due to river regulation and construction including the disruption of spawning migrations by dams ; pollution (bio-accumulation of toxic substances), potential alteration of the genetic and ecological status by the introduction of exotic species and genotypes possibly through inadequate hatchery practice ;

7 Along the Danube River many factors affecting sturgeon populations : Upper Danube (River from the source to Bratislava Habitat degradation (e.g. spawning grounds) Middle Danube (River from Bratislava to the Iron Gate gorge): Iron Gate dams, disruption of migration Lower Danube (River downstream of Iron Gate including the Delta): Over-fishing, Over-exploitation, pollution Black Sea: Over-fishing, Over-exploitation, pollution

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9 The Action Plan main objectives are grouped under four general directions: Basin-wide coordination of sturgeon policy and best-practice management ; Legislation and enforcement controls for sturgeon fisheries and trade ; Conservation of sturgeon species and populations, including their genetic integrity; Protection, management and restoration of sturgeon habitats, including reopening of migration routes ;

10 STATUS OF STURGEONS POPULATION IN ROMANIA CAPTURI DE STURIONI IN ROMANIA IN PERIOADA ( tone ,6 685,5 323,3 228,8 317,9 164,4 40,3 10, D u n ~ r e B r a t u l C h i l i a B r a t u l S u l i n a B r a t u l S f. G h e o r g h e Z o n e d e p e s c u i t

11 ACTIONS FOR STURGEONS SPECIES CONSERVATIOS Protected areas in The Danube River; Regulation of fishing activities; Level of the catch for each species established/every season; Permanent control against illegal fishing; Stopping of sturgeons fishing in Romania; Restocking of the Danube with sturgeons pieces; Research activities ; finish of International Station for monitoring of migratory fish species ; Improving of the Control Danube Delta Force;

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13 Threats that affect this species include Loss and degradation of wetlands; The drainage of marshes; The cutting down of woods ; Human disturbance,intervention and persecution; Illegal killing, nest robbing and trade; Poisoned baits; Poisoning from pesticides and pollutants Land exploitation for industries, housing ; Disturbance of nests from tourism, recreation Pollution; The pollution of the basins with different kinds of poisons; Reductions in the prey base; Accidental killing by collision and electrocution. Lack of knowledge ;

14 Conservation measures proposed: Ban the pollution of the basins with poisons and industrial wastes. The preservation of the woods, The restriction of tourist building and tourist invasion in its habitats along Natural protective propaganda among the population, especially among hunters.

15 WP5 ACTIONS Act 5.1 TRANSNATIONAL CONSERVATION STRATEGY WHITE-TAILED EAGLE The Danube River Basin houses a White-tailed Eagle s population of European importance. The wide range of its habitats and the crossborder threat to the species require a transnational conservation strategy. Following an existing action plan a specific conservation strategy for the Danube River will be elaborated. Role of each partner DDBRA: coordination of task force, editing of transnational conservation strategy PP: active participation via permanent task group and, occasionally, at the international workshop Timetable starting month ; ending month Total amount - 17, EUR

16 Act 5.2 SCIENTIFIC & CONSERVATION ACTIVITIES for WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Transnational coordination of scientific & conservation activities is needed (agenda International Conference Illmitz 2007). Based on findings of the permanent task force, Danubeparks will focus on: monitoring transnational ringing program international database radio telemetry in selected PA protection of nesting sites Role of each partner DDBRA: coordination, telemetry BROZ, SNC SR, BROZ, ZZPS, KBPS: monitoring, pilot act. for protection nesting sites (reduction disturbance, land purchase, control) DDBRA & DDNPA & ZZPS: telemetric study PP: know-how transfer by permanent task force and scientific conference Timetable starting month ; ending month Total amount - 341, EUR

17 Act 5.3 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE WHITE-TAILED EAGLE Following the agenda of the conference in Illmitz (2007) a follow-up conference will be organized by DDNPD including trilateral study visits to Kopacki rit and Gornje podunavlje. Main focus will be on latest scientific findings and the implementation of the transnational conservation strategy (act. 5.1 & 5.2) on a transnational level. Role of each partner DDNPD: design and organisation of the conference PP: active participation including scientific presentations of all activities for the White-tailed Eagle in the network project Timetable starting month ; ending month Total amount - 23, EUR

18 Act 5.4 LIFE+ PROJECT for DANUBE STURGEONS Following the Sturgeon Action Plan (supported by the European Council, WWF, ICPDR etc.) a transnational conservation project will be developed. Nearly all Danube sturgeons species are critically endangered and can only be preserved by transnational conservation measures including habitat restoration, restocking, public awareness and scientific work. Role of each partner DDBRA: coordination, organisation study visits and workshops, preparation of LIFE+ application, scientific data, NPDA: cooperation with ICPDR "sturgeon task force", support in technical preparation of project proposal PP: active participation in project development, scientific input, preparing conservation activities on national level, public awareness Timetable starting month ; ending month Total amount - 51, EUR

19 Act 5.5 INTERNATIONAL STURGEON RESTORATION CONFERENCE The conference will provide a platform to international experts to present latest experiences and scientific results on Danube sturgeons. On the occasion of this conference specific activities raising public awareness will be launched. Role of each partner DDBRA: organisation of the conference, invitation of PP and experts, presentation activities for sturgeons already implemented/planned within network project PP: active participation with representatives of PA as well as experts on sturgeons Timetable starting month ; ending month Total amount - 54, EUR

20 Qualitative and quantitative description of the outputs PARTNER/S DESCRIPTION TARGET VALUE all partners "permanent task group birds" established 1 DDNPD & NPDA, all transnational conservation strategy for White-tailed Eagle elaborated and 1 partners published DDNPD international workshop "White-tailed Eagle" organized and conference transcript published 1 DDNPD international database for White-tailed Eagle established 1 DDNPD, SNC SR, DDBRA and others monitoring of more than 100 nesting sites implemented & more than 40 juvenile Eagles ringed within the international ringing program > 100 nests

21 Qualitative and quantitative description of the outputs PARTNER/S DESCRIPTION TARGET VALUE BROZ SNC SR SNC SR, KBPS DDBRA DDBRA & NPDA protection of (potential) nesting sites by purchasing or leasing over >15 ha wetland forests check dams removed and forestry roads closed to reduce disturbance at nesting sites artificial nests mounted and monitored sturgeon restoration conference organized and conference report published LIFE+ application form for "Danube sturgeons" prepared (or already applied for) >15 ha >10 1 1

22 Qualitative and quantitative description of the results partner/s description target value all partners staff with increased knowledge, experience and capacity in the conservation of species 150 (especially White-tailed Eagle, sturgeons) all partners contribution to action plans waiting for implementation 2 all partners all partners relevant % of European Whitetailed Eagle population influenced positively by this WP Involvement of stakeholders relevant for conservation of Danube Sturgeons

23 Qualitative and quantitative description of the results partner/s all partners all partners all partners all partners description involvement of stakeholders relevant for conservation of Whitetailed Eagle innovative tools to improve knowledge of umbrella species developed reputation of PA for conservation of species and scientific competence raised continuity in conservation activieties guaranteed by prolongation of processes and development of future projects target value

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