337

spawning, was very good. The mortality in all groups was less than 10%. All males have started the spermiation process at the moment of catch. In the present experiment, the hormonal treatment resulted in a significantly higher production of milt. Ovulation in females from the experimental groups was synchronous. The short time between the first and last ovulation, observed in all the experiments, may be the result of the high level of synchronous oocyte maturation. The survival of perch spawners throughout the experiment was high (Dabrowski et al., 1994) and (Gillet et al., 1995) reported some problems with spawner survival, especially the females. The similar size of the perch spawners used may have also resulted in synchronous spawning. CONCLUSIONS 1. Controlled reproduction is the most reliable method for obtaining a high number of perch larvae. 2. Perch spawners of wild and cultured stocks spawn easily in captivity. 3. The main factors that influence the amount and quality of perch artificial spawning are: gametes; temperature, photoperiod and physiological status of the parents. 4. The use of different types of hormonal treatments can lead to getting quality material gametes and species for aquaculture development. 5. Reproduction of agents used in our experiments the best results were obtained when hCG and Ovopel. 6. The doses of spawning agents depend on many factors: time of spawning (season, out-of-season) maturation stage of fish gonads and type of hormone.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This study was supported by Project No. 10.1.1 financed by Sectoral Plan of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. REFERENCES Costache M., Bucur C., Radu D., Oprea D., Costache M.,

Nicolae C. G., 2012. Research on sperm quality of north american sturgeon species Polyodon spathula. Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science, LV: 306-311.

Dabrowski K., Ciereszko A., Ramseyer L., Culver D., Kestemont P., 1994. Effects of hormonal treatment on induced spermation and ovulation in the yellow perch (Perca flavescens). Aquaculture 120: 171-180.

Dabrowski K., Ciereszko R.E., Ciereszko A., Toth G.P., Christ S.A., El-Saidy D., Ottobre J.S., 1996. Reproductive physiology of yellow perch (Perca flavescens): environmental and endocrinological cues. Journal of Applied Ichthyology 12: 139-148.

Gillet C., Dubois J.P. Bonnet S., 1995. Influence of temperature and size of females on the timing of spawning perch, Perca fluviatilis, in Lake Geneva from 1984 to 1993. Environmental Biology of Fishes 42: 355-363.

Horvath L., Szabo T., Burke J., 1997. Hatchery testing of GnRH analogue - containing pellets on ovulation in four cyprinid species. Polskie Archiwum Hydrobiologii 44: 221-226.

Kouril J., Linhart 0., Reiot P., 1997. Induced spawning of perch by means of a GnRH analogue. Aquacult. Int. 5: 375-377.

Kucharczyk D., Kujawa R., Mamcarz A., 1996a. A new experimental incubation chambers for perch (Perca fluviatilis) eggs. Progressive Fish - Culturist 58: 281-283.

Kucharczyk D., Kujawa R., Mamcarz A., Skrzypczak A., Wyszomirska E., 1996b. Induced spawning in perch, Perca fluviatilis L. using carp pituitary extract and hCG. Aquaculture Research 27: 847-852.

Ronyai A., 2007. Induced out-off-season and seasonal tank spawning and stripping of pike perch (Sander lucioperca L.). Aquacult. Res. 1-8.

Scientific Papers. Series D. Animal Science. Vol. LX, 2017ISSN 2285-5750; ISSN CD-ROM 2285-5769; ISSN Online 2393-2260; ISSN-L 2285-5750

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE CHILIA BRANCH FOR PROTECTING AND CONSERVATION OF THE ANADROMOUS MIGRATORY STURGEONS

Tiberius-Marcel DANALACHE1, Stefan DIACONESCU1, Alin Marius BADILITA2,

György DEÁK2, Elena HOLBAN2, Carmen Georgeta NICOLAE1

1University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest, 59 Marasti Blvd, District 1, Bucharest, Romania

2National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, Bucharest - INCDPM, Spl. Independentei, 294, 6th District, Code 060031, Bucharest, Romania

Corresponding author e-mail: tiberiusdanalache@yahoo.com

Abstract The hydrotechnic works often generate aquatic ecosystem disturbances. Sometimes they are local and short-term, but sometimes they cause significant long-term impact that may be irreversible. The present paper aims to analyze the possible impact of the maintenance works performed on Bastroe channel fairway on the populations’ dynamics of migratory anadromous fishes, sturgeon. The methodology implied sturgeon tagging and migration monitoring using ultrasonic telemetry technique during 2011-2014. The tags were inserted into the abdominal cavity through a simple surgical intervention, being set to transmit data related on swimming depth and water temperature towards receiver stations fixed on Chilia branch, upstream and downstream of Bastroe channel, Tulcea and Old Danube branches. The results showed that the distribution of the adult specimens during migration on Chilia and Tulcea branches was 53% - 47% (spring 2012/2014) and 31% - 69% in autumn 2013. A possible progressive warping of the Old Stambul and especially Musura branch, as well as an increase of the naval traffic on Bastroe channel will have major negative effects on upstream sturgeon migration for breeding. Key words: fish migration, monitoring, Old Danube, sturgeon conservation. INTRODUCTION Chilia branch and Bastroe channel are parts of the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve, having great importance due to the many types of aquatic and terrestrial habitats existing here. The universal value of the reserve has been recognized by its inclusion in the international network of the Biosphere Reserves (1990), within the Program "Man and Biosphere" (MAB) launched by UNESCO in 1970. Bastroe channel was formed naturally and makes the connection between Chilia branch and the Black Sea. Although the area benefits of full ecological protection regime, according to which any human activity in the region is forbidden, in the area have been conducted a series of works for the riverbed arrangement through which is seeking the direct access of commercial ships in the Black Sea (Șofineți and Dobrotă, 2004). An effect of the channel arrangement will be an overall disturbance of the habitats, due to the banks transformations

by digging the channel, which will cause the water flow’s system change and a new way of sedimentation in the area of the Bastroe estuary. The impact on ichtyofauna may be a temporary one, generated by high mortality among fish species caused by dredging activities or their withdrawal from the area, and also a permanent impact, irreparably through the disappearance of species due to changes of habitual requirements. One category of fish species sensitive to hydro-morphological changes of the watercourse is represented by sturgeon. It is proved the fact that human activities related to the change of the natural watercourses led to a decline of this species population over time. The best example are the dams built for the Iron Gates I and II Hydropower plants (Bacalbasa-Dobrovici, 1993, 1997; Ciolac, 2004; Reinartz, 2002). The interruption of the longitudinal connectivity of watercourses leads to the impossibility of reproduction in case these species cannot reach to specific habitats located upstream and thus,

338

the number of specimens decreases alarmingly from one year to another (Kerr et al., 2010; Yi et al., 2010). Sturgeon are cartilaginous bony fish species that migrate from the Black Sea on the Danube River only for reproduction, and then return into the sea (Oţel, 2007; Antipa, 1909; Bănărescu, 1964 ). National legislation protects sturgeon species by prohibiting fishing and their commercialization (Order no. 330/2006) and by Danube programs for restocking with juvenile sturgeon specimens. Internationally, many non-governmental organizations take action for saving sturgeon species. Sturgeons are important due to the fact that their presence on the Danube River was confirmed since ancient times and represented a source of food for coastal communities. Greek orator, Claudius Elian in his papers from the second century b.h. describes a technique for beluga capturing in the Danube River through the use of lines with hooks attached to a rope distributed transversely on the watercourse, a technique very similar to lining fishing (Palatnikov, 2010). On Chilia branch, Bacalbaşa-Dobrovici (1997) recalls the Italian monk Niccolo Barsari’s visit during 1633-1639 who noted that fishermen captured daily between 1000 and 2000 sturgeon specimens. The National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection has analyzed the migration of sturgeons in the period of 2011-2014 and has noticed the possible negative effect of the arrangement works on Bastroe channel on these species. MATERIALS AND METHODS The monitoring of sturgeon species migration conducted by the National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental during 2011-2014 has been performed by using ultrasonic telemetry. The method involves the use of tags attached to sturgeon specimens which transmits the information through water, with the help of ultrasounds, to a series of receiver stations fixed at certain strategic points (Badilita et al., 2013; Deák et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b; Raischi et al., 2016a, 2016b). Before assembling the systems, a riverbed in situ analysis has been performed. With a boat on which was installed a device for bathymetric

measurements (single beam and multibeam), sections from one side of the riverbed to the other were made, on a sector of approximately 600 m (300 m downstream the location where the monitoring system was mounted and 300 m upstream). The measurements result was a 3D representation of the river morphology. For the assembly, it has been chosen only the areas with slight slope, without deep thresholds or holes, which may screen the signal transmitted by the ultrasonic mark attached to sturgeon specimens. The ultrasonic tagging of sturgeon specimens has been conducted after a procedure with minimal stress on specimens. Thus, fish have been placed in a contention floating tube, directly into the water body provided with slots for a good oxygenation (Badilita et al., 2012). Before the tagging surgery, biometric measu-rements have been performed (total length, standard length, weight), the genre of the fish has been determined with an endoscope and DNA samples have been taken for each speci-men. Then, the fish have been anesthetized through electro-narcosis and on the incision area has been locally injected xiline. The size of an incision was of approximately 3 cm and has been done with a sterile surgical material. The closure of the area, after ultrasonic marking, it has been done with an absorbable suture thread. The area has been swabbed with Betadine and then, a special medical adhesive that hardens in seconds and do not allow water to enter in the abdominal cavity has been applied. Finally, an "anti-poaching" spaghetti tag has been fixed, on the dorsal flipper, with a special pistol. All the identifycation data of each sturgeon specimen have been noted on the catch sheet. On every operation, a veterinarian specialist was present, who monitored the development of each phase of tagging procedure. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS In 2011-2014 frame times, sturgeon catching, tagging and releasing was performed on the Danube River between Calarasi and Braila. During this period were studied 253 specimens of beluga, Russian sturgeon, Stellate sturgeon and Sterlet sturgeon, 186 being tagged both with ultrasonic and anti-poaching (T-bar) tags, while 67 were only tagged with anti- poaching tags.

In order tsturgeon mperform a Tulcea brreception Danube Rikm 70 an(Fig. 1).

Figure

On Chilia bof the T-bperiod. Rspecimens,that in 201migrated tbranch, wpercentagespring reacIn Table sturgeon s2014 on migration Therefore, Black Sea also specimThe male codes 2S5reproductioa half, respThis obseprevious redo not perf(Hochleithmaturationage, gend(Reinartz, sturgeon 5came backexplanation

to have a migration o

comparisoranch, the

systems fiver at km

nd on Chili

e 1. Location o

branch werbar tagged Regarding , the recei12 spring 5towards thewhile durie decreasedched again t1 is prese

specimens Chilia brandirection (ufor the upsto the spaw

mens taggedStellate s

5 and 3S48on cycle aftpectively, frvation is esearch whform reprod

hner and Gn is directly der and h2002). A s5S9 taggedk after one n for this b

general ovon Chilia bon with the

research tfor ultrason100, on Tuia at Bastr

of the monitor

e not reportsturgeons the ultra

ivers’ recor3% of the e Black Seing 2013 d at 31% the value ofented the ddetected b

nch in resupstream orstream migr

wning areas wd before 201sturgeon sp8 came agater 2 years afrom the tag

in accordahich showedduction actiGessner, 19influenced

hydro-climaecond exam

d in 2013 year, in 20

behavior m

verview of branch andir behaviorteam mounnic signal ulcea branchroe conflue

ring stations

ted any catcin the stud

asonic tagrdings showspecimens ea used Ch

autumn and in 2

f 53% (Fig. distributionbetween 20spect with r downstrearation from were identif11-2013. pecimens wain for a nand 2 years gging momance with d that sturgions every y999). Gonaby the spectic conditi

mple is Stelspring wh

014 spring. may be that

the d to r on nted

on h at

ence

ches died gged wed that

hilia the

014 2).

n of 013-

the am).

the fied

with new and

ment. the

geon year ads’ cies, ions llate hich

An the

speyea201

Fi

Evestuautmig(ChrevbehsamFro201recseaThewesecby modowendmig

ecimen did ar and inten14.

igure 2. Distriand Tulce

en that a lorgeon spectumn and gration seahebanov anvealed that haviour retume season om the 5 sp13 autumn,corded on Cason. e 7S1, 7S2re tagged in

ctor of the Dthe two

ounted on twnstream od of the rgrated back

not reprodnded to acc

ibution of sturea branches be

ot of researccimens mig

remain unason for rnd Galich, some speciurning to t(E.g.: 6S12

pecimens of, only the

Chilia branc

28, 7S32, 7n 2014 spriDanube Rivo receivinthe Chilia bof the Bastrreproduction

k to the Blac

duced in thcomplish thi

rgeon migratioetween 2012 -

ch works cograte upstrentil the nreproduction

2011), ouimens have the Black 2, 6S14, 6Sf beluga tag

6S11 spech also in 2

7S33, 7S2 ing on Calaver and werng-recordingbranch (uproe confluenn season

ck Sea.

he previousis action in

on on Chilia - 2014

onsider thateam duringnext springn purposesur research

a differentSea in the

S21, 6S22).gged duringcimen was

2014 spring

specimensarasi-Brailare recordedg systemsstream andnce), at thewhen they

s n

t g g s h t e .

g s g

s a d s d e y

339

the number of specimens decreases alarmingly from one year to another (Kerr et al., 2010; Yi et al., 2010). Sturgeon are cartilaginous bony fish species that migrate from the Black Sea on the Danube River only for reproduction, and then return into the sea (Oţel, 2007; Antipa, 1909; Bănărescu, 1964 ). National legislation protects sturgeon species by prohibiting fishing and their commercialization (Order no. 330/2006) and by Danube programs for restocking with juvenile sturgeon specimens. Internationally, many non-governmental organizations take action for saving sturgeon species. Sturgeons are important due to the fact that their presence on the Danube River was confirmed since ancient times and represented a source of food for coastal communities. Greek orator, Claudius Elian in his papers from the second century b.h. describes a technique for beluga capturing in the Danube River through the use of lines with hooks attached to a rope distributed transversely on the watercourse, a technique very similar to lining fishing (Palatnikov, 2010). On Chilia branch, Bacalbaşa-Dobrovici (1997) recalls the Italian monk Niccolo Barsari’s visit during 1633-1639 who noted that fishermen captured daily between 1000 and 2000 sturgeon specimens. The National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection has analyzed the migration of sturgeons in the period of 2011-2014 and has noticed the possible negative effect of the arrangement works on Bastroe channel on these species. MATERIALS AND METHODS The monitoring of sturgeon species migration conducted by the National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental during 2011-2014 has been performed by using ultrasonic telemetry. The method involves the use of tags attached to sturgeon specimens which transmits the information through water, with the help of ultrasounds, to a series of receiver stations fixed at certain strategic points (Badilita et al., 2013; Deák et al. 2013, 2014a, 2014b; Raischi et al., 2016a, 2016b). Before assembling the systems, a riverbed in situ analysis has been performed. With a boat on which was installed a device for bathymetric

measurements (single beam and multibeam), sections from one side of the riverbed to the other were made, on a sector of approximately 600 m (300 m downstream the location where the monitoring system was mounted and 300 m upstream). The measurements result was a 3D representation of the river morphology. For the assembly, it has been chosen only the areas with slight slope, without deep thresholds or holes, which may screen the signal transmitted by the ultrasonic mark attached to sturgeon specimens. The ultrasonic tagging of sturgeon specimens has been conducted after a procedure with minimal stress on specimens. Thus, fish have been placed in a contention floating tube, directly into the water body provided with slots for a good oxygenation (Badilita et al., 2012). Before the tagging surgery, biometric measu-rements have been performed (total length, standard length, weight), the genre of the fish has been determined with an endoscope and DNA samples have been taken for each speci-men. Then, the fish have been anesthetized through electro-narcosis and on the incision area has been locally injected xiline. The size of an incision was of approximately 3 cm and has been done with a sterile surgical material. The closure of the area, after ultrasonic marking, it has been done with an absorbable suture thread. The area has been swabbed with Betadine and then, a special medical adhesive that hardens in seconds and do not allow water to enter in the abdominal cavity has been applied. Finally, an "anti-poaching" spaghetti tag has been fixed, on the dorsal flipper, with a special pistol. All the identifycation data of each sturgeon specimen have been noted on the catch sheet. On every operation, a veterinarian specialist was present, who monitored the development of each phase of tagging procedure. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS In 2011-2014 frame times, sturgeon catching, tagging and releasing was performed on the Danube River between Calarasi and Braila. During this period were studied 253 specimens of beluga, Russian sturgeon, Stellate sturgeon and Sterlet sturgeon, 186 being tagged both with ultrasonic and anti-poaching (T-bar) tags, while 67 were only tagged with anti- poaching tags.

In order tsturgeon mperform a Tulcea brreception Danube Rikm 70 an(Fig. 1).

Figure

On Chilia bof the T-bperiod. Rspecimens,that in 201migrated tbranch, wpercentagespring reacIn Table sturgeon s2014 on migration Therefore, Black Sea also specimThe male codes 2S5reproductioa half, respThis obseprevious redo not perf(Hochleithmaturationage, gend(Reinartz, sturgeon 5came backexplanation

to have a migration o

comparisoranch, the

systems fiver at km

nd on Chili

e 1. Location o

branch werbar tagged Regarding , the recei12 spring 5towards thewhile durie decreasedched again t1 is prese

specimens Chilia brandirection (ufor the upsto the spaw

mens taggedStellate s

5 and 3S48on cycle aftpectively, frvation is esearch whform reprod

hner and Gn is directly der and h2002). A s5S9 taggedk after one n for this b

general ovon Chilia bon with the

research tfor ultrason100, on Tuia at Bastr

of the monitor

e not reportsturgeons the ultra

ivers’ recor3% of the e Black Seing 2013 d at 31% the value ofented the ddetected b

nch in resupstream orstream migr

wning areas wd before 201sturgeon sp8 came agater 2 years afrom the tag

in accordahich showedduction actiGessner, 19influenced

hydro-climaecond exam

d in 2013 year, in 20

behavior m

verview of branch andir behaviorteam mounnic signal ulcea branchroe conflue

ring stations

ted any catcin the stud

asonic tagrdings showspecimens ea used Ch

autumn and in 2

f 53% (Fig. distributionbetween 20spect with r downstrearation from were identif11-2013. pecimens wain for a nand 2 years gging momance with d that sturgions every y999). Gonaby the spectic conditi

mple is Stelspring wh

014 spring. may be that

the d to r on nted

on h at

ence

ches died gged wed that

hilia the

014 2).

n of 013-

the am).

the fied

with new and

ment. the

geon year ads’ cies, ions llate hich

An the

speyea201

Fi

Evestuautmig(ChrevbehsamFro201recseaThewesecby modowendmig

ecimen did ar and inten14.

igure 2. Distriand Tulce

en that a lorgeon spectumn and gration seahebanov anvealed that haviour retume season om the 5 sp13 autumn,corded on Cason. e 7S1, 7S2re tagged in

ctor of the Dthe two

ounted on twnstream od of the rgrated back

not reprodnded to acc

ibution of sturea branches be

ot of researccimens mig

remain unason for rnd Galich, some speciurning to t(E.g.: 6S12

pecimens of, only the

Chilia branc

28, 7S32, 7n 2014 spriDanube Rivo receivinthe Chilia bof the Bastrreproduction

k to the Blac

duced in thcomplish thi

rgeon migratioetween 2012 -

ch works cograte upstrentil the nreproduction

2011), ouimens have the Black 2, 6S14, 6Sf beluga tag

6S11 spech also in 2

7S33, 7S2 ing on Calaver and werng-recordingbranch (uproe confluenn season

ck Sea.

he previousis action in

on on Chilia - 2014

onsider thateam duringnext springn purposesur research

a differentSea in the

S21, 6S22).gged duringcimen was

2014 spring

specimensarasi-Brailare recordedg systemsstream andnce), at thewhen they

s n

t g g s h t e .

g s g

s a d s d e y

340

Nr. Crt.

Shenum

1 2S5

2 3S4

3 5S9

4 6S1

5 6S1

6 6S1

7 6S2

8 6S2

9 7S1

10 7S2

11 7S3

12 7S3

13 7S4

A. = aS. = s

= u

= d

Table 1. Stu

eet mber

Taggiperio

5 A. 20

48 S.201

9 S.201

11 A. 20

12 A. 20

14 A. 20

21 A. 20

22 A. 20

1 S. 201

28 S. 201

32 S. 201

33 S. 201

42 S. 201

Figu

autumn spring

upstream migr

downstream m

urgeon migrati

ing d Species

11 Stellatesturgeo

12 Stellatesturgeo

3 Stellatesturgeo

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

14 Beluga

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

re 3. Swimmi

ration

migration

ion routes on

s Gender

e on male

e on male

e on male

male

male

male

male

male

male

e on male

e on male

e on male

e on male

ng depths of s

Chilia branch

r Records Chilia bra

24.03.2014

24.04.2014

04.05.2014

02.05.2014

15-16.11.2

13-14.11.2

24.11.2013

03.12.2013

07.05.2014

23.06.2014

01.05.2014

24.06.2014

13.05.2014

sturgeon speci

h at the conflue

anch MT

4

4

4

4

2013

2013

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

imens recorde

ence with Bas

Migration Type

ed on Chilia br

stroe channel

branch

Spring mig(Returning

specimens ta2012

Autumn m(Sturgeon

tagged

Spring mig(Sturgeon

tagged

gration 2014g of sturgeon agged in 2011, 2013)

igration 2013n specimens d in 2013)

gration 2014 specimens in 2014)

1,

3

The research performed on sturgeon swimming behavior showed that they prefer deep water for upstream migration (Hochleithner and Gessner, 1999) because the water velocity is lower than in shallow water, decreasing the energy consumption. For the downstream migration they prefer the shallow water because of the high water velocity. The graph presented below highlights the sturgeon specimens that passes through Chilia branch for both upstream and downstream migration. For downstream swimming depth it can be seen a minimum value of 1.06 m, while for downstream swimming depth the minimum value is 4.6 m (Fig. 3). CONCLUSIONS The results of the research performed by the INCDPM team showed that Chilia branch has a high importance for sturgeon migration being used in both migration seasons (spring-autumn) both for upstream migration in reproduction purposes and for downstream migration to the Black Sea. Therefore, the results revealed that in the spring season of 2012 and 2014, 53% of the monitored specimens used Chilia branch, while in the 2013 spring season only 31% used the same branch. On Chilia branch, at Bastroe confluence, the minimum sturgeon swimming depths was 1.06 m for upstream migration and the maximum value was 12.28 m. These swimming depths are in accordance with the previously reported ones, sturgeon specimens preferring a lower water velocity at upstream migration (swimming close to the riverbed) for energy saving purposes and a higher water velocity at downstream migration. The dredging works performed upstream on Chilia branch, including Bastroe channel, may have harmful effects such as: habitats losing or disturbing through elimination of the sediment used for reproduction, destroying macroinvertebrates fauna which constitute the main food for sturgeon species, and also increasing sturgeon larvae and juvenile death. Knowing that at the end of 19th century was emphasized the negative effect of the dredging works on Sulina branch consisting of hampering sturgeon migration on this branch, there is a major risk for the sturgeon migration

caused by the works performed on Chilia and Bastroe branches for fairway improvement. A possible progressive clogging of the Old Stambul branch and especially of Musura branch may have a further major impact on sturgeon upstream migration. Therefore, is necessary to undertake further research and monitoring activities for revealing the issues that may have a harmful effect on sturgeon species in order to implement, in time, the necessary measures to reduce the associated risks. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research work was carried out with the support of National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, Bucharest, Contract no. 140, (2013), Study regarding the quality monitoring of the physical-chemical and biological components from Danube Delta and the adjacent coastline considering the transboundary impact of the Bastroe Channel, during 2010-present, and the environmental consequences analysis in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and in the adjacent coastline determined by the Bastroe project. REFERENCES Antipa Gr., 1909. Fauna Ihtiologică a României,

Academia Română, Publicațiunile Fondului Vasile Adamachi, Bucureşti.

Bacalbasa-Dobrovici N., 1993. The romanian sturgeon salvation needs a consequent strategy and tactics, Scientific Annals of the Danube Delta Institute.

Bacalbasa-Dobrovici N., 1997. Endangered migratory sturgeons of the Lower Danube River and its delta, Environmental Biology of Fishes.

Bănărescu P., 1964. Fauna R.P.R. Vol. XIII. Pisces-Osteichtzes, Ed. Academiei R.P.R., Bucureşti.

Badilita A.M., Tănase B., Deák G., Raischi M., Suciu R., Honț Ș., Diaconescu Ș., Nicolae C., 2012. Preliminary results on the lower Danube sturgeon migration monitoring. Scientific Papers. D Series. Animal Science, LV: 301-305.

Badilita A.M., Deák G., Nicolae C.G., Diaconescu Ș. 2013. Contributions to understanding the fall migration of beluga sturgeon (Huso huso) on the Lower Danube River, Romania. Aquarium, Conservation & Legislation International - Journal of the Bioflux Society, 6(4): 281-296.

Chebanov M.S., Galich E.V., 2011. Sturgeon hatchery manual. FAO Fisheries and Aquaculture Technical Paper. No. 558. Ankara, FAO.

341

Nr. Crt.

Shenum

1 2S5

2 3S4

3 5S9

4 6S1

5 6S1

6 6S1

7 6S2

8 6S2

9 7S1

10 7S2

11 7S3

12 7S3

13 7S4

A. = aS. = s

= u

= d

Table 1. Stu

eet mber

Taggiperio

5 A. 20

48 S.201

9 S.201

11 A. 20

12 A. 20

14 A. 20

21 A. 20

22 A. 20

1 S. 201

28 S. 201

32 S. 201

33 S. 201

42 S. 201

Figu

autumn spring

upstream migr

downstream m

urgeon migrati

ing d Species

11 Stellatesturgeo

12 Stellatesturgeo

3 Stellatesturgeo

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

13 Beluga

14 Beluga

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

14 Stellatesturgeo

re 3. Swimmi

ration

migration

ion routes on

s Gender

e on male

e on male

e on male

male

male

male

male

male

male

e on male

e on male

e on male

e on male

ng depths of s

Chilia branch

r Records Chilia bra

24.03.2014

24.04.2014

04.05.2014

02.05.2014

15-16.11.2

13-14.11.2

24.11.2013

03.12.2013

07.05.2014

23.06.2014

01.05.2014

24.06.2014

13.05.2014

sturgeon speci

h at the conflue

anch MT

4

4

4

4

2013

2013

3

3

4

4

4

4

4

imens recorde

ence with Bas

Migration Type

ed on Chilia br

stroe channel

branch

Spring mig(Returning

specimens ta2012

Autumn m(Sturgeon

tagged

Spring mig(Sturgeon

tagged

gration 2014g of sturgeon agged in 2011, 2013)

igration 2013n specimens d in 2013)

gration 2014 specimens in 2014)

1,

3

The research performed on sturgeon swimming behavior showed that they prefer deep water for upstream migration (Hochleithner and Gessner, 1999) because the water velocity is lower than in shallow water, decreasing the energy consumption. For the downstream migration they prefer the shallow water because of the high water velocity. The graph presented below highlights the sturgeon specimens that passes through Chilia branch for both upstream and downstream migration. For downstream swimming depth it can be seen a minimum value of 1.06 m, while for downstream swimming depth the minimum value is 4.6 m (Fig. 3). CONCLUSIONS The results of the research performed by the INCDPM team showed that Chilia branch has a high importance for sturgeon migration being used in both migration seasons (spring-autumn) both for upstream migration in reproduction purposes and for downstream migration to the Black Sea. Therefore, the results revealed that in the spring season of 2012 and 2014, 53% of the monitored specimens used Chilia branch, while in the 2013 spring season only 31% used the same branch. On Chilia branch, at Bastroe confluence, the minimum sturgeon swimming depths was 1.06 m for upstream migration and the maximum value was 12.28 m. These swimming depths are in accordance with the previously reported ones, sturgeon specimens preferring a lower water velocity at upstream migration (swimming close to the riverbed) for energy saving purposes and a higher water velocity at downstream migration. The dredging works performed upstream on Chilia branch, including Bastroe channel, may have harmful effects such as: habitats losing or disturbing through elimination of the sediment used for reproduction, destroying macroinvertebrates fauna which constitute the main food for sturgeon species, and also increasing sturgeon larvae and juvenile death. Knowing that at the end of 19th century was emphasized the negative effect of the dredging works on Sulina branch consisting of hampering sturgeon migration on this branch, there is a major risk for the sturgeon migration

caused by the works performed on Chilia and Bastroe branches for fairway improvement. A possible progressive clogging of the Old Stambul branch and especially of Musura branch may have a further major impact on sturgeon upstream migration. Therefore, is necessary to undertake further research and monitoring activities for revealing the issues that may have a harmful effect on sturgeon species in order to implement, in time, the necessary measures to reduce the associated risks. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS This research work was carried out with the support of National Institute for Research and Development in Environmental Protection, Bucharest, Contract no. 140, (2013), Study regarding the quality monitoring of the physical-chemical and biological components from Danube Delta and the adjacent coastline considering the transboundary impact of the Bastroe Channel, during 2010-present, and the environmental consequences analysis in the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve and in the adjacent coastline determined by the Bastroe project. REFERENCES Antipa Gr., 1909. Fauna Ihtiologică a României,

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BROWN BEAR MAULINGS ON DOMESTIC ANIMALS IN ROMANIA –

PRELIMINARY STUDY

Laura Mihaela DUMITRU, Andrei Constantin STOIAN, Laura DARIE, Emilia CIOBOTARU

University of Agronomic Sciences and Veterinary Medicine of Bucharest,

Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, 105 Splaiul Independentei, District 5, Bucharest, Romania

Corresponding author e-mail: d_laura_m@yahoo.com Abstract The study aimed to describe the morphology of injuries produced by brown bear (Ursusarctosarctos) on domestic animals such as cattle, sheep, pig and chicken.The study has been conducted during the period 2014 -2016 in Romania, ArgeşCounty.The lesions have been described in fifteen dead animals and two injured animals left alive.Indirect methods for identifying the attacking species were used by collecting samples from the site of the attack (hair, faecesand footprints). Dead animals have been examined by necropsy. Routine clinical examination has been done on alive animals. Additional information about the attacked animals has been gathered by interviewing the owners and hunting fund managers. The characteristic injuries for bear attack were represented by parallel and linear, superficial or deep wounds, bite marks, and tissue avulsions. Prey consumption appears to be characteristic in attacked animals, in humans being rarely mentioned. The specific localization of bear mauling are on head, neck, cervical and thoracic areas followed by upper hindquarters, forelimbs and hind limbs. The most serious injuries are represented by the neck and chest area features which have been observed in cattle examination.Mortality rate for the animals attacked by brown bear and found dead or alive is: 100% for chickens, 100% for pigs, 66.66% for sheep, 87.5% for cattle. Key words: brown bear, domestic animals, attack, mauling, Romania. INTRODUCTION

The biggest population of brown bear, one of the largest living carnivores in Europe, is dispersed in Romanian Carpathians. This species is also a high priority in conservation in European Union, the number of individuals being an important indicator in management of wildlife species. (Zedrosser et al. 2001; Cotovelea, 2014). The interaction between man and bear, bear and domestic animals had been always subjected for scientific research, media and movies. Being one of the largest carnivores in Europe and occupying the top of the food chain, anthropization and habituation reflect negatively on bear behaviour. Consequently, the bears wander closer and closer to households and livestock, resulting in attacks on human and domestic animals (Pop, 2012; Tough, 1993, Zimmermann et al., 2003). The majority of attacks reported in humans occurred in forests or at the edge of the forests. All the events can be generally characterized as “face-to-face meetings” or “close encounters”

with a female bear with cubs, or with a feeding bear. All these situations are considered self-defence of the individual, as result of a surprise or unpredicted meeting. Regarding the domestic animals, these are attacked in households situated in mountain, submontane area and at sheepfold, case in which the bear gets its food. The importance of the study emerges from the lack of description of injuries caused by bear in animals, comparing with reported cases in humans. The study area, Arges County, houses an average population of 700 brown bears, this population is slightly increasing in the past years. (Environmental Protection Agency Arges County – bear statistics). MATERIALS AND METHODS The period analysed in this study was 2014-2016, and refers to Argeş County, Romania. Two groups of animals were studied, as follows: