LIFE Boat to rescue four Danube sturgeon species from extinction

ongoing

Sturgeons are amongst the most threatened groups of animals worldwide. The conservation status of all sturgeon species in Europe has become highly critical with nearly no signs of recovery. Previous conservation attempts have not been successful or have been implemented over too short periods to have an effect on population recovery due the long generation intervals of most species. The current situtation of the Danube sturgeons urgently requires the conservation of genetic lineages of the remaining four species in captive broodstock ex situ and the support of populations through the release of genetic diverse authochthonous juveniles, adapted to conditions in the wild and imprinted to their natal water to contibute to population recovery once mature. The LIFE-Boat 4 Sturgeons builds upon lessons learned in the LIFE-Sterlet project by establishing facilities in several range countries for holding of mature animals, reproduction based on genetic mating schemes and rearing juveniles with the latest state of the art. This is accompanied by permanent monitoring of population development and flanked by in situ conservation activities and dissemination in seven countries to reduce the impact of IUU fishing and bycatch. Sturgeons are excellent flagship species for ecologically healthy rivers and seas due to their size, longevity, diverse habitat utilization and their migratory life cycle. Cooperation with other projects on habitat restoration and re-establishment of the ecological corridor leads to a true multinational conservation project for all remaining Danube Sturgeon species, critical to achieve the long-term goals of the Pan-European Action Plan to save the sturgeons.