KARASU STURGEON FESTIVAL

In order to put the protection of sturgeons on an agenda, TÜDAV, in collaboration with Karasu Association of Culture and Solidarity, organized a festival in 8 May 2004 and informed local people and fishermen about the protection of marine environment and marine life. Sturgeons were released in the Karasu River. After the festival, a beach litter collecting campaign was arranged.

Karasu Sturgeon Festival is held on 8 May in the town of Karasu – Yeni Mahalle community with the collaboration of TÜDAV and Karasu Association of Culture and Solidarity

As it is known, sturgeons are fossil fish, one of the oldest of the Black Sea. In order to protect these fish, TUDAV with its own capacities and support of international institutions, carries out since 2000, studies on the distribution of sturgeons in the Black Sea; decontamination of rivers discharging into the Black Sea, water budget balance of rivers, assignment of sturgeon fisheries to new regulations by prohibition and education of fishermen.

Contingent on these studies, we accelerated our efforts to release juveniles mainly in rivers of Sakarya, Kızılırmak and Yeşilırmak with the idea that juvenile released in the rivers discharging into the Black Sea would help the regeneration of decreasing stocks.

Releasing juvenile fish in rivers in order to restore decreasing stocks, no catch of juveniles, no pollution of rivers and raising the awareness of fishermen and local public on these topics are within the major aims of the festival.

Besides, a composition contest on the subject “Sturgeon and Karasu town” was held during the festival. The winner was awarded and then a movie about sturgeons was shown. The activities continued the whole day, which was documented by local and national press.

This activity about the protection of Sturgeons is locally the first brave step. Other topics like aquaculture of sturgeons in Sakarya and restoration of Sturgeon fisheries will be considered at the next stage.

We expect you – friends of seas- to join our festival.

WHY DO THE BLACK SEA STURGEONS NEED TO BE PROTECTED?

Sturgeon stocks in the Black Sea decreased rapidly in the last 20 years. The production, which was once around 1000 tons, decreased lately to 10 tons. All sturgeon species became protected in 1997 with the contribution of our foundation. But that was not enough; more efforts are needed to protect these species. Besides, there was no plan for the protection and sturgeons were just protected under the law number 1380 and fisheries resources circular; that means a protection is only on paper. However it is not possible to protect without a protection plan and researches. TÜDAV organized seminars for fishermen between 1997 and 2000 on the protection of sturgeons and set up research activities in many areas mainly Sakarya and Kızılırmak. UNDP gave support to the project between 2000 and 2003 and studies continued with research, education and protection topics. Also, we prepared an instructional movie on the protection of sturgeons, destined to fishermen and distributed it among local fisheries cooperatives and unions in the Black Sea. Additionally, we published many posters and booklets destined to inform fishermen.

STURGEON SPECIES COLLECTED DURING “THE PROJECT FOR THE PROTECTION OF STURGEONS AT THE RISK OF EXTINCTION IN THE BLACK SEA”

Huso huso
Acipenser guldenstaedti
Acipenser stellatus
Acipenser sturio

COASTAL CLEAN UP EVENT IN WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY BY TUDAV MEMBERS’ in SINOP

This event was organized thanks to our Sinop representative, Associate Professor Murat Sezgin. Thirty volunteers participated in the clean up work. Additionally, information was given about Sturgeons which are among species that need protection in the Black Sea.