Images: S. Hont ©
'We Pass' is project aiming to facilitate fish migration in the Danube River Basin. The hydroelectric power plants Iron Gates I and II are the largest dams on the Danube River and are jointly managed by Romania and Serbia. The dams provide vast amounts of sustainable hydropower for the region and also make navigation on the Danube. However, the disruption they cause to the river's continuity constitutes a serious obstacle for migratory fish like sturgeon. A main aspect of We Pass is the running of a feasibility study exploring alternatives and seeking solutions to blocked routes that may be having adverse effects on sturgeon and other fish species. Focus of the project is on the preservation and reestablishment of endangered sturgeons fish species migration routes in the Danube River, its tributaries, and specifically at the Iron Gates. The current Feasibility Study aims to analyse the strengths and weaknesses of a proposed project, the opportunities and threats present, the resources required to carry out the project, and ultimately the success of the project. Many factors need to be taken into consideration to determine whether a project is technically feasible, economically viable, and profitable (costs versus ecological benefits). The project has been set up with EU funding (DG REGIO) by the ICPDR, CDM Smith, Jaroslav Černi Institute (JCI), and the Danube Delta National Institute for Research and Development (DDNI) and the Norwegian Institute for Nature Research.
Contact person: Dr. Marian Paraschiv