Methods, techniques and monitoring results regarding the sturgeon migration on Lower Danube (monitoring period 2010-present, monitoring fix and mobile systems awarded)
SR I, Eng. DEÁK György, PhD* SR III Monica Matei, PhD* SR SR SR SR SR
III Marius RAISCHI Madalina BOBOC Stefan ZAMFIR Tiberius DANALACHE Alexandru CRISTEA
*Presentation made at Bern Convention, 35th Standing Committee meeting, 1-4 December 2015, European Council, Strasbourg, FRANCE
Sturgeon migration monitoring purposes identification of species present in the Danube River determining migration periods and routes determining wintering, feeding and reproduction sites identifying natural or anthropic bottlenecks drawing up preventive solutions in order to ensure longitudinal connectivity of the river and keep sturgeon migration routes identifying and reporting sectors where illegal fishing of sturgeons takes place.
Steps to monitor sturgeon migration
Step 1: SCIENTIFIC FISHING
Step 2: TAGGING - internal: acoustic transmitter (69 Khz) - external: antipoaching (T-Bar)
Step 4: MIGRATION MONITORING by DKTB and DKMR systems Step 5: DATA COLLECTING AND PROCESSING Step 3: FISH RELEASING
RESULTS
Step 1: SCIENTIFIC FISHING
No. of authorized Year days
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 Total
Sturgeon species Beluga
Russian sturgeon
Stellate
Sterlet
Caught specimens
105 97 129 60 136
25 13 13 4 13
1 0 1 1 1
17 36 30 44 48
52 7 6 3 0
95 56 50 52 62
527
68
4
175
68
315
Step 2: TAGGING - internal: acoustic transmitter - external: anti-poaching (T-Bar) The entire procedure is assisted by a veterinary.
1
5
2
6
4
3
7
8
9
MACODESU, 18th of
Russian sturgeon
Step 3: FISH RELEASING Sterlet sturgeon
Stellate sturgeon
Beluga sturgeon INCDPM 2015
Sturgeon migration monitoring system type DKTB luminous warning lamp (1), metallic cap with special closing system - ø 15-20 cm; (2), protective metal tube provided with openings for water passage (3), station for ultrasonic signal reception(4), equipment for monitoring water level and quality(5), cable for fixing the reception station(6), bank anchorage pillar (7).
Step 4: MIGRATION MONITORING
The most important advantages of DKTB monitoring system:
eliminate the risk of losing the information can be mounted easily on the banks causes no difficulties on carrying out fishing activities or navigation facilitates data downloading may include multi-parameter water quality equipment including equipment for determining the level variations.
DKMR-01T Monitoring System of sturgeon migration warning system of bright red light (1) floating tank made of metal (2) link system between the tank and pipe protection of concrete iron (3) protective cap with closure system (4)
The most important advantages:
protective pipe provided with slots for water passage (5)
eliminate the risk of losing the information
reception station of ultrasonic signals (6).
can be mounted easily on the banks not entangled in fishing or sailing facilitates data downloading may include multi-parameter water quality equipment.
Diplomas & Medals obtained DKTB – ihtyofauna monitoring system, especially of the sturgeon through the teledection with ultrasonic tag in different hydrological conditions Gold Medal - International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada, iCAN,2016 Gold medal – International Contest Brussels Eureka, November 2015 Gold medal – International Exhibition of Inventions, Inovations ,,Traian Vuia”, Timişoara, May 2016 Gold medal – EUROINVENT Iaşi, May 2016 Gold medal with special mention – PRO INVENT, Cluj-Napoca, May 2016
DKMR-01T mobile station to monitor through remote sensing, the ichthyofauna, especially sturgeons with ultrasonic tag in difficult hydrological conditions Silver Medal - International Invention Innovation Competition in Canada, iCAN,2016 Gold medal – International Exhibition of Inventions GENEVA, April 2016 Gold medal – International Exhibition of Inventions, Inovations ,,Traian Vuia”, Timişoara, May 2016 Gold medal – EUROINVENT Iaşi, May 2016 Gold medal with special mention – PRO INVENT, Cluj-Napoca, May 2016
Sturgeon monitoring migration by creating ultrasonic signal detection gates
Active monitoring of sturgeon species
VR100 ultrasonic device for specimens tagged Used especially for determining wintering, feeding and reproduction sites and for mobile monitoring the tagged sturgeons
Remote operated vehicle (ROV) – does not depend on ultrasonic tagging Facilitates underwater recordings
Step 5: DATA COLLECTING AND PROCESSING Currently, INCDPM has the largest European database on sturgeon migration on Lower Danube – an unique asset.
Possible risks for successful monitoring -
destruction vandalism theft illegal fishing. The data base is not loosed
Monitoring system destroyed
Illegal fishing !!!
Abandoned tags in bottles – proof of illegal fishing INCDPM 2015
Swimming examples for different types of sturgeon migration routes
approx. 23,4 km/Day
Upstream
Downstream
Sturgeons that have passed the bottom sill on Bala Branch
Autumn 2015 campaign
Period of detection: 5:21 – 15:37/h Swimming depths: 2.27 – 24.25 m
Autumn 2015 campaign
Period of detection: 17:39 – 18:38/h Swimming depths: 2.57 – 20.16 m
INCDPM 2015
Autumn 2015 campaign
Period of detection: 19:28 – 19:30/h Swimming depths: 10.30 – 12.58 m
Autumn 2015 campaign
Period of detection: 19:34 – 19:38/h Swimming depths: 7.42 – 10.91 m
Autumn 2015 campaign
Beluga 10S9 Beluga 10S9
Hydrodynamic and climate conditions vs. the migration routes Distribution of water velocities at a depth of 4-5 m in the bottom sill from Bala Branch The average depth of the crest was 4.5 m.
INCDPM 2015
Bala branch, left bank
Bala branch, center
Bala branch, right bank
ADCP measurements above the bottom sill
Sturgeons that have passed the bottom sill on Caleia Branch
Project proposal to extend the monitoring to the Danube Delta
Qualitative Qualitative approach approach
Qualitative approach
Receivers’ recordings of tagged specimens showed that during spring 2012, 53% of the specimens that migrated towards the Black Sea used the Chilia branch. During autumn 2013, the percentage decreased at 31% and in spring 2014 reached again the value of 53%. Qualitative approach
Project proposal to extend the monitoring to the Danube Delta Nr. Crt.
COD
Tagging period
1
2S5
A. 2011
2
3S48
S.2012
3
5S9
S.2013
4
6S11
A. 2013
5
6S12
A. 2013
6
6S14
7
Sex
Records Chilia branch
male
24.03.2014
male
24.04.2014
male
04.05.2014
male
02.05.2014
Beluga
male
15-16.11.2013
A. 2013
Beluga
male
13-14.11.2013
6S21
A. 2013
Beluga
male
24.11.2013
8
6S22
A. 2013
Beluga
male
03.12.2013
9
7S1
S. 2014
Beluga
male
07.05.2014
10
7S28
S. 2014
male
23.06.2014
11
7S32
S. 2014
male
01.05.2014
12
7S33
S. 2014
male
24.06.2014
13
7S42
S. 2014
male
13.05.2014
A. S.
Species Stellate sturgeon Stellate sturgeon Stellate sturgeon Beluga
Stellate sturgeon Stellate sturgeon Stellate sturgeon Stellate sturgeon
= autumn = spring = upstream migration = downstream migration
Migration type
Spring migration 2014 (Returns tagging sturgeon in 2011, 2012, 2013)
Autumn migration 2013 (Tagging sturgeon in 2013)
Spring migration 2014 (Tagging sturgeon in 2014)
Data based on captured and ultrasonically tagged sturgeons from the Calarasi-Braila sector of the Danube River.
Project proposal to extend the monitoring to the Danube Delta The need to extend the monitoring project
The specimen of beluga (code 3S33) was tagged in May 2012, on the Borcea branch of the Danube, at km 43 Data interpretation indicated that, after breeding, this specimen returned to the Black Sea, using the Chilia branch in the Danube Delta During fall 2014, the receiving stations recorded its return to the Bala branch of the Danube
Source: INCDPM
Project proposal to extend the monitoring in the Danube Delta The need to extend the monitoring project The Stellate sturgeon specimen (code 3S48) was tagged in June 2012 and released on Borcea branch of the Danube After release, the specimen migrated downstream, last time being registered by the monitoring system located on Tulcea branch in the Danube Delta Please note that the specimen returned for a new cycle of reproduction after about two years from tagging, in 2014
Source: INCDPM
Source: INCDPM
Project proposal to extend the monitoring in the Danube Delta The need to extend the monitoring project
The Beluga specimen (code 6S12) was tagged in November 2013 and released on Bala branch of the Danube After release, this specimen migrated downstream to the Black Sea. Its migration was last recorded by two provisionally placed monitoring systems on Chilia
Source: INCDPM
Source: INCDPM
Project proposal to extend the monitoring to the Danube Delta Preliminary results indicate a need to clarify the migrating paths in the Danube Delta The graph below highlights the sturgeon specimens that used the Chilia branch in the Danube Delta for both upstream and downstream migration Note the upstream minimum swimming depth of 1.06 m, and the downstream minimum swimming depth of 4.6 m.
Conclusions From 2010 to now, 315 sturgeon specimens (beluga, stellate and starlet) were captured and tagged ultrasonically/“anti-poaching”. INCDPM has thus built the largest database on sturgeon migration on the Lower Danube. It is an unique asset. INCDPM, based on its huge experience accumulated in situ, developed two monitoring systems (DKTB and DKMR). They are aimed at reducing and eliminating the risk of losing information on sturgeons migration on the Lower Danube (time detection, swimming depth and water temperature) INCDPM developed an innovative tagging procedure and techniques assisted by a veterinarian so as to minimize stress for the captured specimens. This includes training of authorized fisherman. INCDPM demonstrated that sturgeons can be scientifically fished over the whole year and that the frequency of the maximum monthly captures is strongly dependent on hydrodynamic and climatic variations INCDPM showed that the bottom sills on Caleia and Bala branches of the Lower Danube does not interrupt sturgeon migration routes. Two years of post-construction monitoring on Caleia branch and 4 years on Bala branch (following EU requests), will eliminate the risks of longitudinal connectivity interruption. The INCDPM will also elaborate preventive solutions Currently, following the last results on sturgeon passing the bottom sill of Bala branch of the Danube [the Beluga specimen (code 10S9)], INCDPM is installing additional monitoring gates systems (DKTB and DKMR), in order to determine the capacity of sturgeon swimming capacity (upstream). No such in situ data was ever recorded in the world.
Recommendations Preliminary information proves that sturgeons use the Chilia and Tulcea branch in their migration to and from the Black Sea. Therefore, INCDPM recommends the following: Ensuring the longitudinal connectivity with the bottom sills (from Caleia and Bala branches of the Danube), obtaining the authorizations for scientific sturgeon fishing, throughout the entire monitoring period in order to raise the fishing capacity from
31% to 100% (increasing the database confidence level) Extending the monitoring project to the Danube Delta and drawing a sturgeon distribution map, based on their migration routes Expanding research on the influence of climatic and hydrodynamic conditions on sturgeon migration periods.
INCDPM 2015
Recommendations Developing an integrated monitoring system platform (based on numerical simulation, 3D/2D bathymetric measurements, monitoring stations/gates of sturgeons migrations, etc.), with the main objectives: -
Continue on-line sturgeon migration maps
-
Characterization of sturgeon population along the Danube River to be permanently updated as indicator of the ecological status map
-
Prognosis based on numerical simulation & climate change scenarios in order to reduce/eliminate the risk of interruption of sturgeon migration routes on the Lower Danube (preventive solutions can be developed)
-
Awareness raising, in order to reduce illegal sturgeon fishing.
INCDPM 2015
Participation of Romanian delegation (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, Administration of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reservation, Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests) at Bern Convention35th Standing Committee Meeting INCDPM 2015
NATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT IN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION Bucharest, ROMANIA
Webpage: E-mail: Phone:
http://incdpm.ro/production/en
[email protected] +40213052600
The authors thank to INCDPM team who works on monitoring sturgeons migration routes and also to the beneficiary (Galati Lower Danube River Administration)
INCDPM 2015
