For the World Day of Migratory Fish Species, sturgeons and eels were released in the Po Delta park and in the Adriatic Sea
With the release of 440 eels and 265 sturgeons, off the coast of Cesenatico and in the southern area of the Po Delta of Emilia Romagna, on Friday 20 and Saturday 21 May, the World Day of Migratory Fish Species is celebrated: the Delta del Delta Park Po, the University of Bologna, seat of Cesenatico (Degree Course in Aquaculture – UNIBO), and the Costa Edutainment, Oltremare and Acquario di Cattolica parks, have released in nature specimens of Cobice sturgeon and eel, migratory fish grown and kept in the pools in the Costa parks and in the University pools. The days of liberation are part of the international event ‘World Fish Migration Day 2022’ which sees, every two years and in every corner of the planet, organizations and associations organizes and shares a series of dissemination and reintroduction events in nature of threatened fish species migratory. The two Romagna events are also the only ones in Italy for the research, dissemination and protection of fish species at risk of extinction, in which actions that are part of LIFE European projects have been carried out. On Saturday 21 May, in the southern area of the Po Delta Regional Park of Emilia Romagna, adult breeding sturgeon and eel specimens (40 eels and 7 sturgeons, male and female), reared and raised, were released for the first time for years in the tanks of the Cesenatico branch of the University of Bologna, and in those of the Oltremare park in Riccione and the Cattolica Aquarium. The event took place at the mouth of the Bevano river and followed by the ascent ladder at the Volta Scirocco dam (Reno river), in the province of Ravenna. Massimiliano Costa, Director of the Po Delta Park explains the importance of the initiative: “The park is one of the crucial points for the protection and reproduction: The Po Delta is an area on the border between the sea and inland waters, therefore fundamental for the migration of fish, both for those that go from the sea upstream like the sturgeon, and from the mountain towards the fundamental sea like the eel “Oliviero Mordenti, Professor of the Degree Course in Aquaculture and Hygiene of Fish Production in Cesenatico – UNIBO deals with the scientific and reproductive aspects of endangered fish species with its students. For the University, he explains, “The World Day of Migratory Species strengthens a virtuous synergy that has lasted for years: once again this year we free our” little ones “, reproduced in our laboratories thanks to a collaboration that has lasted for years with the Parco del Delta, of the ER Region, of Oltremare and of Acquario di Cattolica. We have now become a consolidated and experienced team ”. These events also have a particular value towards the general public with regards to attention to endangered fish species, as stated by Cristiano da Rugna, Zoological Manager of the Costa Edutainment Parks: “It is very important for structures like ours, licensed Zoological Gardens, educating visitors and raising awareness with schools, showing how animals that are at risk of extinction can be reintroduced into nature through scientific collaborations and important realities at national level “. The reintroduction of specimens now at risk, but which until 40 years ago were at home here is particularly significant also for Alberto Magnani, of the Agriculture, Hunting and Fishing Department for the provinces of Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena and Rimini of the Emilia Romagna Region. To complete the party for the release of sturgeons and eels in nature, there was also the appointment of the previous day, in Cesenatico, which involved the children of the Circolo Vela Cesenatico: after a popular lesson on the biological cycle of the eel and the European project LIFEEL, by Oliviero Mordenti of Unibo and Cristiano da Rugna, of Oltremare, the boys released eels in the stretch of sea in front of the western coast of Cesenatico. In addition to UNIBO, Costa Edutainment, the Cesenatico Sailing Club, the Emilia Romagna Po Delta Regional Park have joined the Emilia Romagna Region (Agriculture, Hunting and Fishing Sector), FIPSAS of Ravenna, the Sheds Association.
EEL AND STURGEON, SPECIES AT RISK
The European eel is a fish that has a very particular and fascinating biological cycle: once it reaches the reproductive season it makes a long migration from our rivers, up to the Sargasso Sea (Atlantic Ocean), where it reproduces and after natural death. It is therefore a journey with no return in which the eel faces thousands of km of sea, using all its physical resources, to complete the reproductive act and guarantee a new generation. Once the eggs hatch, the small larvae will make the reverse migration, being carried away by the ocean currents, and returning to our waters after about 3 years. Unfortunately, all of this is seriously threatened due to anthropogenic impacts on natural habitats, pollution and uncontrolled fishing. Another endangered species is the Cobice sturgeon. Once upon a time the river courses of Romagna were rich in sturgeons that “came up” from the sea for reproduction. Unfortunately, in the 50 years, due to pollution, indiscriminate fishing and changes in river courses that prevent their reproductive reproduction, the sturgeon populations have experienced an inexorable decline which has resulted in the total disappearance of the sturgeon throughout the area.
cs Parks Costa Edutainment Romagna