Fostering the conservation and recovery of threatened sturgeons in Georgia
Project overview
The Georgian Black Sea coastline and its tributaries were historically home to healthy populations of at least five sturgeon species. However, according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, all sturgeon species in this region are now Critically Endangered.
This project focuses on the Rioni river, which originates in the Caucasus Mountains and is one of the shortest sturgeon-spawning rivers in the world, measuring just 327 km in length. Despite active research, sturgeon migration behaviour, habitat use, and spawning locations remain unclear.
Threats
Disruption of water flow
Habitat loss & degradation
Over-exploitation of natural resources & prey depletion
To effectively influence sturgeon conservation, it is crucial to understand how the Rioni river and the Eastern Black Sea are utilized by various sturgeon species. Fish tracking methods, such as acoustic telemetry (AT), are invaluable for understanding habitat use, migration patterns, and behavior in aquatic species. Globally recognized experts in sturgeon research are supporting this first-of-its-kind project in the region. This research grant is instrumental in initiating AT studies in Georgia.
Project objectives
The overall objective of our project is to demonstrate the effectiveness of acoustic telemetry (AT) techniques in the conservation and recovery of Georgian sturgeons.
We have been studying sturgeon species in the Rioni River and the Black Sea for more than seven years. In addition to species identification and population genetic studies, understanding population migration patterns and habitat use is the most critical next step for sturgeon conservation in Georgia.
We are working in close collaboration with the Fauna & Flora Caucasus Programme and international sturgeon experts. This project supports the initiation of AT studies in Georgia, complementing other methods, such as Side Scan Sonar surveys and river morphology studies, which are already being optimized in the region with significant support from sturgeon research experts visiting Georgia from the United States. These experts are experienced in the AT method and are committed to supporting us both in the initial stages and over the long term.
With the effective application of these methods, we will gain a better understanding of how sturgeon species use the Rioni River and potentially the Eastern Black Sea. This understanding is critical for implementing targeted conservation actions for sturgeon in Georgia.
Project activities
- Conduct a literature review and develop a protocol for the AT study.
- Identify and purchase materials for AT, including acoustic transmitters, receivers, and surgical equipment.
- Validate the AT technique for Georgian waters through range testing in both freshwater and marine environments.
- Train at least four members of the sturgeon research team and conservation practitioners.
- Conduct fieldwork for fish tagging in the Rioni River and, if possible, in the Black Sea.
This project is implemented by Tamar Beridze, Ilia State Universty.
