Conservation and sustainable sturgeon aquaculture

The project enabled a small aquaculture farm to upgrade equipment, improve energy efficiency, and incorporate sustainable technologies. Equipment was replaced with more energy-efficient alternatives and photovoltaic panels were installed to make the farm nearly independent of the grid. The EU-funded project also improved working conditions for the employees, as well as welfare conditions for the sturgeon on the farm.

The timely infusion of funds not only ensured the farm’s continuous operation but also safeguarded the welfare of the sturgeon population. Optimal functionality of the breeding system not only promotes fish wellbeing but also mitigates the risk of technical accidents that could jeopardize one of Romania’s most valuable sturgeon gene pools, which is critical for maintaining genetic diversity. Thanks to the funding, the enterprise is indirectly continuing to help the recovery of the wild sturgeon populations of the Danube and the Black Sea, by supporting stocking and creating an alternative to fishing wild sturgeon.