Several millimeter-long fish fry were hatched directly in the Morava River in special incubation boxes that were tested by experts for the first time.
“The boxes ensure optimal water flow and protect young fish from predators, thereby increasing their chances of survival,” said WWF Czech Deputy Director Jan Freidinger.
According to him, the small sturgeon belongs to the Morava River. “Today’s release is a pilot test of the technology of incubation boxes for sturgeon in Czech conditions. It is a symbolic step towards the restoration of river nature, but at the same time we know that restocking alone is not enough. If the original species of fish are to really return to our rivers, we must restore the natural form of the rivers, improve water quality and remove barriers that prevent fish from migrating,” stressed Freidinger.
Small sturgeon used to inhabit the Moravian River in the Danube basin, but it gradually became extinct due to excessive hunting and the construction of dams in them.
Photo: WWF Czech Republic
Several millimeter fish fry were hatched directly in the Morava River in special incubation boxes.
“Today it is very rare in Czech rivers, but its protection is part of a broader European effort to save sturgeons. WWF in Europe has long supported the implementation of the Pan-European Action Plan for sturgeons – from expert recommendations for monitoring populations and habitats to measures for the protection and restoration of suitable river habitats,” stated Freidinger.
A living fossil
According to him, the sturgeon is an exceptional fish that belongs to the so-called living fossils. His ancestors inhabited the Earth 200 million years ago at the time of the dinosaurs, and their appearance has practically not changed until now.
“However, despite their long evolutionary history, sturgeons are very sensitive to changes in their environment, especially to pollution and flow regulation. Although they have survived for millions of years, human activity today greatly threatens them,” added Freidinger.
The administration of the PLA Litovelské Pomoraví and local fishermen collaborated on the project of releasing sturgeons into the Morava River. The roe came from the Pohořelice Fish Farm, which has genetic material of the original Danube line of small sturgeon at its disposal.
Small sturgeon is the smallest species of Danube sturgeon. It lives throughout its life cycle only in fresh water without the need to migrate to the Black Sea. It can reach a length of up to 125 centimeters and a weight of 19 kilograms.
