Answer given by Mr Sinkevičius on behalf of the European Commission

5.3.2024

The Habitats Directive[1] lists all sturgeon species of the Lower Danube. Thus, their conservation is a legal obligation for Member States.

According to the reports submitted by the Member States for the 2013-2018 period, most Danube sturgeon species are in unfavourable-bad status[2]. Illegal fishing was one of the pressures reported by Member States, along with hydropower development and the modification of river flows.

The study referred to by the Honourable Member was co-funded[3] by the EU programme for the environment and climate action (LIFE)[4]. Its conclusions point to a need for the Member States and candidate countries to increase control of caviar and sturgeon poaching and trade.

The revised EU Action Plan against Wildlife Trafficking[5] strengthened the commitment to combat wildlife trafficking and improve the dialogue and cooperation between the Member States, EU enforcement actors and key non-EU countries.

In this framework, the Commission will analyse and refer to the conclusions of the study in its discussions with Member States and candidate countries.

As mentioned in the reply to Written Question E-002571/2021, the Pan-European Action Plan for Sturgeons[6] adopted under the Bern Convention[7] lists nearly 70 actions to restore sturgeon populations in the Pan-European region. The Commission provides financial support to the action plan through a public contract[8] and follows its implementation closely.

Moreover, the LIFE-Boat 4 Sturgeon project[9], also co-funded by the EU LIFE programme, aims to conserve four Danube sturgeon species.

The project measures include reintroducing young fish in the Lower Danube and the Black Sea, working with fishery authorities and creating awareness in local fishing villages.

• [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.
• [2] https://nature-art17.eionet.europa.eu/article17/species/summary/
• [3] https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/life/publicWebsite/project/LIFE15-GIE-AT-001004/sustainable-protection-of-lower-danube-sturgeons-by-preventing-and-counteracting-poaching-and-illegal-wildlife-trade
• [4] https://cinea.ec.europa.eu/programmes/life_en
• [5] Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Revision of the EU action plan against wildlife trafficking, COM/2022/581 final.
• [6] https://rm.coe.int/pan-european-action-plan-for-sturgeons/16808e84f3
• [7] https://www.coe.int/en/web/bern-convention
• [8] https://etendering.ted.europa.eu/cft/cft-display.html?cftId=11535
• [9] https://lb4sturgeon.eu/