Restoration campaign
The Danube without sturgeon is The Danube Without a History.
We are restoring sturgeon populations in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River. We fund stocking efforts, the fight against illegal fishing, and educational initiatives.
Why It's Important
Six species of sturgeon used to inhabit the Danube.
6
Sturgeon species inhabited the Danube
before industrial fishing
4
Species today
90%
Population Decline
in the last 50 years alone
CR
Critically Endangered Status
according to the IUCN Red List
Sources: IUCN Red List, FAO, ABCTB Danube Archive. The figures are updated when new estimates become available.
Six species of sturgeon once inhabited the Danube
The species that once lived in the Bulgarian section of the Danube River, and whose return the association is working to achieve.
01
Beluga
Huso huso
The largest freshwater fish in the world. It can grow to over 7 m and weigh over 1,500 kg.
Critically Endangered02
Russian sturgeon
Acipenser gueldenstaedtii
A typical representative of the sturgeon family. It can live for over 50 years and grow to 2.3 m.
Critically Endangered03
Stellate sturgeon
Acipenser stellatus
It is recognizable by its elongated snout. It grows up to 2.2 meters and is extremely rare.
Critically Endangered04
Ship sturgeon
Acipenser nudiventris
An extremely rare Danube sturgeon. It is possible that it has already disappeared from the wild.
Presumably missing05
Sterlet
Acipenser ruthenus
The smallest sturgeon in the Danube, up to 1 m. The only species that still has small populations.
Endangered06
Atlantic sturgeon
Acipenser sturio
Historically found in the lower reaches of the Danube. Reaches up to 5 m.
Missing from the DanubeHow We Help
Every donation goes toward a specific activity
Transparency is one of our three commitments. We publish an annual report detailing the allocation of funds by area.
01
Restocking the Danube
We fund the delivery and release of young sturgeon, raised at Bulgarian and partner farms, into carefully selected sections of the river.
02
Combating Illegal Fishing
Partnerships with conservation and enforcement agencies. Funding for monitoring and response to illegal fishing.
03
Support for Breeding Farms
Investments in Bulgarian and regional farms specializing in the reproduction of sturgeon species. A steady supply of young fish is essential for sustainable stocking.
04
Education Along the River
Initiatives in municipalities along the Danube (schools, fishing associations, municipal administrations) to identify and protect sturgeon species.
05
Working with Environmental Organizations
Cooperation with WWF and CITES, as well as with national agencies such as the Ministry of Environment and Water and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency.
Donate
Support the campaign for the Danube
Select an amount or enter your own. Pay by card.
The donation is non-refundable after processing, except in cases provided for by the Consumer Protection Act. You will receive a confirmation email and a receipt.
Alternative
Donation via Bank Transfer
For corporate donations, sponsorships, or larger personal contributions, you can transfer the funds directly to the association's bank account. Please send us an email confirming the transfer, and we will manually add the amount to the campaign's progress.
- Recipient
- Association of Black Caviar Traders in Bulgaria
- IBAN
- BG94INTF40012098059944
- BIC / SWIFT
- INTFBGSF
- Bank
- iCard
- Payment reference
- Donation to the "Restoring the Danube" Campaign
- Confirmation
- office@abctb.eu