Poaching and trafficking is driving sturgeon species towards extinction in the Lower Danube

Posted on July, 29 2024

New WWF report highlights alarming rise in sturgeon trafficking in the countries of the lower Danube

Wildlife crime is threatening the survival of critically endangered sturgeon species, according to the latest WWF report on sturgeon poaching and trafficking in the Lower Danube region.

The analysis documents 395 cases of illegal sturgeon fishing and trade in Bulgaria, Romania, and Ukraine with 1,031 sturgeon individuals affected between 2016 and 2023, confirming the illegal activities are continuing to push the four remaining sturgeon species in the Danube closer to extinction.

“These numbers are only the tip of a larger iceberg, as many cases did not include exact number of surgeons affected and as with every type of illegal activity this wildlife crime also goes largely undetected“ said Beate Striebel, WWF Global Sturgeon Initiative Lead. “European countries are stepping up efforts to tackle long term threats to sturgeon species and reintroducing thousands of them, but these measures will be in vain if we cannot end poaching and trafficking in the Lower Danube.”

“WWF’s analysis of sturgeon crime in the Lower Danube has become an annual alarm - a wake-up call for increased action to halt the most direct threat to the survival of these iconic species.”

The report underscores the critical situation facing sturgeon populations, already teetering on the brink of extinction. Despite legal protections and international agreements, such as the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and the Pan-European Action Plan for Sturgeons, illegal fishing and trade continue to threaten sturgeons in the Lower Danube - where four species remain. Three of which are already critically endangered.

Key findings from the report, which relied on data from law enforcement authorities in the three countries, include:

Total Cases: 395 incidents of illegal sturgeon activities were recorded, with 144 in Bulgaria, 157 in Romania, and 94 in Ukraine.
Annual Trends: The documented number of cases appears rather stable over the last years and ranges between 50 and 65 cases per year.
Illegal Gear: Traditional unbaited hook lines (karmaci) are still widely used in Bulgaria and Romania despite being banned. In Bulgaria alone, authorities seized 988 karmaci, totaling at least 37 kilometers in length.
Affected Sturgeon: The report accounts for 1,031 sturgeons, with Romania reporting the highest number (610), followed by Ukraine (418) and Bulgaria (3). However, the actual numbers are likely much higher.
Hotspots: The primary hotspots for sturgeon trafficking remain unchanged: Vratsa oblast in Bulgaria, Tulcea in Romania, and Odesa in Ukraine.

“It’s clear that countries in the Lower Danube are trying to tackle sturgeon crime and WWF appreciates the efforts being made by single authorities, but it’s also clear that much more needs to be done - not only by Bulgaria, Romania and Ukraine but by countries across the continent,” added Striebel. “Enhanced cooperation between countries, stringent enforcement of existing laws, and public awareness are vital to securing the future of these ancient fish species.”

For the first time, the Romanian Police provided comprehensive data on fisheries control efforts, contributing to a deeper analysis. Bulgarian authorities also shared specific data on sturgeon poaching controls. The report highlights the need for consistent and comprehensive enforcement data from all countries in the region to better understand sturgeon trafficking trends and fight illegal activities more effectively.

The data compiled in this report represents the only publicly available regional overview of sturgeon trafficking for Central and Eastern Europe, providing invaluable insights for targeted conservation efforts. It emphasizes that any action or inaction in one country impacts the shared sturgeon populations in the Lower Danube and the Black Sea.

Sturgeons and paddlefishes are the world's most endangered group of species, with their eggs (caviar) being highly valuable. Overexploitation has led to a dramatic decline in sturgeon populations worldwide, including in the Danube and Black Sea regions. The Lower Danube Basin is among the last European regions with self-reproducing sturgeon populations, making it a priority for conservation.

Despite strict fishing bans in Bulgaria, Moldova, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine, and permanent prohibitions in other Black Sea states, illegal activities persist. The ongoing efforts of WWF-CEE to compile and analyze regional data aim to fill the gap left by the lack of systematic data collection, crucial for assessing the severity of the issue and addressing the threat effectively.