Sturgeon restocking

To mark World Fish Migration Day, WWF Bulgaria will release young Russian sturgeon into the Danube River near Vidin on 22 May. The release will take place near Gomotartsi — an important stretch of the river where WWF is advocating for the creation of a new protected area for sturgeons.

The event highlights the urgent need to restore and protect critically endangered sturgeons and migration routes for fish species that depend on free-flowing rivers to survive. Once abundant in the Danube, sturgeons are now among the most endangered fish in the world due to overfishing, habitat loss, and barriers that interrupt their natural migration.

By returning young Russian sturgeons to the river, WWF and its partners are contributing to the recovery of this ancient species while raising awareness about the importance of protecting key habitats along the Danube. The location near Gomotartsi represents a particularly valuable area for sturgeons, and efforts are underway to recognize it as a protected zone that would support the long-term survival of these iconic migratory fish.