On July 16, 2026 the State Organization “Institute of Market and Economic-Ecological Research of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine” signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the NGO “Association of Fishermen of Kryzhanivka.”
This partnership brings together scientific research, local expertise, and community engagement to protect sturgeon populations, aquatic ecosystems, and regional biodiversity.
This collaboration plays a critical role in advancing the international project SturNet (BSB00172) – “Network for the Preservation of Sturgeon and for the Sustainability of the Black Sea Basin Ecosystem”, funded by the Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin Programme. Implemented by a transnational consortium spanning Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, Moldova, Greece, and Turkey, SturNet focuses on strengthening cross-border cooperation, advancing sturgeon monitoring, utilizing cutting-edge digital tools, and reinforcing environmental policy.
The Memorandum creates crucial practical synergy between researchers, civil society organizations, and local fishing communities. Bridging scientific methodologies with the hands-on insights of people who interact with aquatic resources daily ensures more responsive and effective conservation strategies. This dialogue facilitates field data collection, raises ecological awareness, identifies emerging threats, and drives co-created solutions.
Building stakeholder networks is a cornerstone of IMEER NASU’s strategic focus on eco-economic security and sustainable resource use. Sturgeons represent one of the most precious yet endangered elements of Black Sea and Danube biodiversity. Safeguarding them demands an integrated strategy combining research, habitat restoration, responsible fishing practices, community education, and cross-border policy alignment. SturNet embodies this holistic framework—from mapping population data to launching digital monitoring platforms and cultivating a robust stakeholder network.
By partnering with local fishing communities, IMEER NASU strengthens its commitment to preserving the rich marine and freshwater heritage of the Odesa region, the Black Sea, and the Danube.
Saving sturgeon species is about more than protecting individual wildlife—it is an investment in healthy aquatic ecosystems, resilient biodiversity, and sustainable economic futures for our regions.
