Danube Sturgeon
In News
According to a report released by the
World Wildlife Fund (WWF), the illegal sale of Danube Sturgeon, one of the
most endangered species in the world, is rampant in the lower Danube (River) region, especially in Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, and Ukraine.
The Danube is the
second-longest river in Europe after the Volga.They are called ‘
living fossils’ because their appearance has altered very little over the years.
Danube sturgeons live mostly in the
Black Sea, migrating up the Danube and other major rivers to spawn.
ThreatsOver-exploitation and poaching (exacerbated by poor fishery management and insufficient legal enforcement of fishing bans).
Blocked migration routes through dams.
Loss or degradation of habitats.
Protection Status:IUCN Red list: There are 6 species of sturgeon in the Danube River. Five of them are now listed as critically endangered.
CITES:
Appendix-II.
