Managing and restoring aquatic Ecological corridors for migratory fish species in the Danube River Basin
Project code: DTP2-038-2.3-MEASURES
Project co-founded bu the European Union (F.E.D.R., I.P.A.)
The Ministry of Waters and Forests of Romania participates as a partner in the project “Managing and restoring aquatic ecological corridors for migratory fish species in the Danube Riviera Basin”. Leading partner is the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna (BOKU).
The MEASURES project is funded through the Danube Transnational Program, Priority Axis 2 – Responsibility for Environment and Culture in the Danube Region, Specific Objective 2.3. “Promotion of the restoration and management of ecological corridors” and has a total budget of 2512931,08 euro.
The sturgeons and other migratory species represent a historical, economic and natural heritage of the Danube river basin and are indicators of the ecological status of aquatic ecosystems, especially the ecological corridors’ functionality. The populations of these fish have suffered strongly due to excessive fishing, pollution, habitat destruction and the disruption of migration routes. The need to preserve them is recognized at political and management level. Habitat fragmentation as well as a lack of comprehensive knowledge of migratory fish habitats and genetic diversity hinder the recovery of migration corridors, essential for long-distance fish migration. Transnational management of these bio – corridors as well as restoration actions and maintenance of the conservation of stocks of native species are particularly necessary.
The project brings together 12 partners and 12 associate partners from Austria, Hungary, Bulgaria, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, Serbia, Germany, The Netherlands and Romania and will run for a period of 36 months, between June 1, 2018 and May 31, 2021.
The main objective of this project is to improve and protect transnational bio-corridors for migratory fish in the Danube river basin.
The specific objectives of the project are:
– Identification and mapping of migratory fish habitats;
– Develop a harmonized strategy for reconnecting migratory fish habitats in order to ensure and restore key ecological corridors in the Danube river basin, to be implemented in national management policies and plans;
– Providing a strategy for the conservation of the genetic background of sturgeon species in the Danube basin, including appropriate breeding facilities design.
More information on the project can be found at the project site: http://www.interreg-danube.eu/measures.
september 2018
