Permanent Ban on Sturgeon Fishing in Bulgaria – A Key Move for the Future of the Danube and the Black Sea
- sulevaivelina
- Aug 27
- 2 min read
On August 20, 2025, Bulgaria officially launched the procedure for introducing a permanent ban on the fishing of sturgeon species in the Bulgarian waters of the Danube River and the Black Sea. This is a historic moment, as until now the country had only implemented temporary five-year bans. The new order aims for the long-term protection of the most endangered fish in the world – sturgeons. за
Sturgeon fish are living fossils – species that existed even before the dinosaurs. At the same time, they are among the most endangered animals on the planet. Habitat loss, disruption of migration routes, poaching, and illegal caviar trade have led to a dramatic collapse in their populations. In Bulgaria, two species – the European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) and the ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) – are already considered extinct, and the others are on the brink of survival. It is no coincidence that sturgeons are included in the European Red List and are protected under international conventions such as CITES, the Bern Convention, and the Habitats Directive.
Sync with Europe and the World
The proposal for a permanent ban is part of a broader international and European context:
The Pan-European Sturgeon Action Plan PANEUAP (2019–2029 г.), , which requires the cessation of targeted fishing and the limitation of poaching;
National Roadmap for the implementation of the EU Marine Plan for the protection and restoration of marine ecosystems;
Recommendation GFCM/47/2024/11 of the General Fisheries Commission for the Mediterranean, which introduced a complete ban on marine sturgeon fishing in the Black Sea.
With this measure, Bulgaria is catching up – the country was among the last in the EU still relying on temporary restrictions.
What Does the Draft Order Include?
A complete ban on fishing Russian sturgeon, stellate sturgeon, sterlet, and beluga in the Danube and the Black Sea;
Immediate release back into the water in case of accidental catch;
Mandatory recording of each accidental catch in fishing logs;
Ban on the sale and transport of wild sturgeons and products derived from them;
Exceptions only for scientific research and aquaculture.
The ban will remain in force until scientific assessments show that populations have reached a sustainable conservation status.
Why Is This a Victory for Everyone?
Protecting sturgeons is not just about saving one group of fish. It means:
Healthier river and marine ecosystems;
Richer biodiversity;
A sustainable future for fishing communities;
Fulfillment of Bulgaria’s European commitments.
Comments