Recovery of Endangered Sturgeons Through Optimized Restocking Efforts

ongoing

The LIFE RESTORE objectives is to improve the conservation status of the priority species Acipenser naccarii*, Adriatic sturgeon. Guided by the Pan European Action Plan for sturgeon conservation (approved in 2019 by the Bern Convention and recommended for implementation by Habitat Directive experts), LIFE RESTORE implements coordinated actions to restock wild populations. The conservation status improvement will be reached through a population increase at the end of the project expected of about 14,000 specimens. Considering the current population in the wild of 700 specimens estimated by Habitats Directive report 2013-2028, it is an increase of about 20 times. Second objective is the genetic diversity enhancement trough captive breeding according a specific cross-breeding plan. The restocking strategy foresees release of large individuals into rivers where IAS are present and smaller individuals into rivers free of IAS in order to maximize survival success and contain the costs. The predatory pressure of IAS Silurus glanis, will be reduced by captures carried out in 105 km of the Po river, 50 km of the Sesia river and 14 km of the Scrivia river. The project will be implemented on 13 rivers on the species' historical range covering 45 Natura 2000 sites, 27 sites listing A. naccarii and 18 not yet listing the target species will be updated. Key objectives include drafting and approval by 5 Regions a shared long-term conservation strategy. The project will establishes a wide-reaching monitoring network, combining advanced telemetry and Citizen Science, to track the sturgeon across 13 rivers and the 45 Natura 2000 sites. Public awareness is a central focus, with campaigns set to engage over 200,000 people through educational events and media outreach. The project is relevant for the LIFE work programme for the contribution to: EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030; Habitats Directives; Regulation on Invasive Alien Species.