Table 26.5 General assessment matrix for the conservation status of Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
(Danube sturgeon)
Parameter
Conservation status
Favourable
(green)
UnfavourableInadequate
(amber)
Unfavourable-Bad
(red)
Unknown
(insufficient
information
for an
accurate
assessment)
a Range
FV
The marine range of the population
is not smaller than the “favourable
reference Range”.
U2+
Large decline:
Equivalent to a loss of more than
1% per year during 2000-2006, as
resultimg from the sharp drop of
catches and recruitment from
natural spawning in the river.
There is a moratorium in force
banning commercial fishing
(2006-2015, extended until 2020),
as well as a restocking program of
the Lower Danube with fingerlings
obtained by artificial breeding of
wild spawners.
U2x
The pressure caused by illegal
fishing in the Black Sea and the
Danube strongly affects the NW
Black Sea population.
Population conservation is affected
by the Alee Effect (adult Danube
sturgeon stocks dropped below the
critical threshold, which in most
areas hinders/makes impossible the
recruitment from natural breeding).
U2+
It is estimated that continuing the
restocking program and the
regulation of sturgeon fishing
rights generate the circumstances
for a medium and long-term
recovery of the population.
Population
in the NW
Black Sea
and the
Lower
Danube.
b Foraging
habitats of
juveniles
and adults
FV
The area of the foraging habitats
of juveniles and adults is large
enough and the habitat quality is
adequate for the long-term survival
of the species.
Overall
assessment
of CS
Future
prospects (as
regards to
population,
range and
habitat
availability)
a
The current population range covers the entire Lower Danube
b
The wintering habitats at sea are outside the boundaries of ROSCI 0066. The wintering habitats in
the river, spawning and foraging of early life stages and fingerlings are in the Lower Danube
468
C.G. Nicolae et al.
(Danube sturgeon)
Parameter
Conservation status
Favourable
(green)
UnfavourableInadequate
(amber)
Unfavourable-Bad
(red)
Unknown
(insufficient
information
for an
accurate
assessment)
a Range
FV
The marine range of the population
is not smaller than the “favourable
reference Range”.
U2+
Large decline:
Equivalent to a loss of more than
1% per year during 2000-2006, as
resultimg from the sharp drop of
catches and recruitment from
natural spawning in the river.
There is a moratorium in force
banning commercial fishing
(2006-2015, extended until 2020),
as well as a restocking program of
the Lower Danube with fingerlings
obtained by artificial breeding of
wild spawners.
U2x
The pressure caused by illegal
fishing in the Black Sea and the
Danube strongly affects the NW
Black Sea population.
Population conservation is affected
by the Alee Effect (adult Danube
sturgeon stocks dropped below the
critical threshold, which in most
areas hinders/makes impossible the
recruitment from natural breeding).
U2+
It is estimated that continuing the
restocking program and the
regulation of sturgeon fishing
rights generate the circumstances
for a medium and long-term
recovery of the population.
Population
in the NW
Black Sea
and the
Lower
Danube.
b Foraging
habitats of
juveniles
and adults
FV
The area of the foraging habitats
of juveniles and adults is large
enough and the habitat quality is
adequate for the long-term survival
of the species.
Overall
assessment
of CS
Future
prospects (as
regards to
population,
range and
habitat
availability)
a
The current population range covers the entire Lower Danube
b
The wintering habitats at sea are outside the boundaries of ROSCI 0066. The wintering habitats in
the river, spawning and foraging of early life stages and fingerlings are in the Lower Danube
468
C.G. Nicolae et al.