The scope of GRS activities covers several thematic areas:
- Protection and safeguarding of remaining sturgeon populations in the North Sea (Acipenser sturio) and Baltic Sea (Acipenser oxyrinchus) catchments.
- Establishing broodstock populations for controlled breeding to conserve the species.
- Preparation and implementation of sturgeon reintroduction measures in their original habitats.
To achieve these goals, it is essential to coordinate all German sturgeon conservation efforts with European initiatives. Only in this way can the Society make a meaningful contribution to nature and environmental protection and to the improvement of river ecosystems. Close cooperation with governmental institutions is crucial. The Federal Ministry for the Environment (BMU) has supported international sturgeon protection through its inclusion under the Washington Convention (CITES) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The development of an action plan for the European sturgeon at both the Bern Convention and national levels was only possible with the support of the BMU and the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN).
The long-term goal of these efforts is to establish self-sustaining populations of native sturgeon in the rivers flowing into the North and Baltic Seas, which requires close and trust-based cooperation among all stakeholders. In the longer term, the sustainable fishery use of these populations could also be developed.
Founding of the Society
Since 1992, an increasing number of regional initiatives had been undertaken to prepare sturgeon reintroduction projects in German waters. Interested scientists and institutions from various regions wanted to take advantage of the favorable conditions that arose after German reunification to launch an ambitious sturgeon conservation program. Early successes in salmon programs showed that, with properly integrated efforts, even very challenging goals could be achieved.
During preparatory discussions and working meetings, it quickly became clear that implementing such an ambitious project required coordinated action. As a result, in 1993 it was decided to create a joint platform and representation of interests. For this purpose, on July 1, 1994, the Society for the Rescue of the Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) e.V. was founded at the Senckenberg Institute in Frankfurt am Main.
The founding members included: Eckhard Anders, Gerd-Michael Arndt, Lutz Debus, Jörn Geßner, Dietmar Firzlaff, Martin Hochleithner, Frank Kirschbaum, Toni Lelek, Harald Rosenthal, Jörg Schneider, and Siegfried Spratte.
Membership
The Society for the Rescue of the Sturgeon sees itself primarily as an association of individuals and institutions actively working on sturgeon reintroduction and related activities. The Society serves as a platform for exchanging information, planning and implementing projects, as well as conducting educational and public awareness activities. Its members include representatives from research institutions, businesses, and public administration, as well as fishing organizations and anglers interested in nature conservation.
