(Summary Results from Target Research) Evaluation of Attitudes and Level of Knowledge of Fishermen on Sturgeon Fishery (Summary Results from Target Research)

Methodology Research Type Data Collection Method Sample Type and Size Quantitative research Data Collection Method Semi-standardized face-to-face interview Sample Type and Size Size: N = 28 Type: Among Respondents Research Range Belene, Nikopol, Dolni Kibar, Vardim, Vetren, Tutrakan, Kozlodui, Ostrov, Oryahovo Target Group Fishermen – professional and leisure time

Management Summary (1) Research results show that respondents within the research pool sample are highly experienced and well informed about the sturgeon related issues. They distinguish the main species of sturgeons both by size and physical features; Respondents indicate that they are well aware of the ban on fishing: they are familiar with its spatial and temporal scope and know which species are included in it; More than half of the respondents consider that fishing in the Danube cannot longer make for the living that it has sustained before; The opinions regarding some physical characteristics and biological features of sturgeons are highly polarized. Such features are the size of fish, as well as their maturity and migration periods; More than half of the respondents consider that sturgeon stocks in the Danube have significantly decreased, but few of them answer the question what are the reasons for the decline. However, respondents outline poaching, inhuman fishing, and water pollution as the main reasons. Nonetheless, only 30% of the interviewees are of the opinion that target fishing is a threat to wild sturgeons;

Management Summary (2) As regards the definition of poaching, a broad range of responses was recorded in the research, but it is noteworthy that besides illegal fishing (with no permit or off season), inhumane methods of fishing are also considered poaching; Research established that 1/4 of fishermen have heard that fishing of sturgeon continues disregarding the ban; Relevant reasons are indicated to be the economic situation and the lack of alternative sources of income in the region, as well as corruption practices. Half of the respondents consider it useless to report poaching to the relevant authorities. The main reason for this is belief that reporting will not result in any change of the status quo; Nonetheless, fishermen show willingness to take measures to protect sturgeons. More than 90% state that they would release immature sturgeons caught. The same share of respondents declare they would cooperate with authorities, if the latter observe the law too; Data obtained show that fishermen would like to get more information about the ban, the biology of sturgeons, and possibly about procedures under EU programs.

Fishing these days

How long are you active as fisherman, when did you start fishing? (%) Fishermen Experience How long are you active as fisherman, when did you start fishing? (%) The experience of fishermen in the pool of research is well apportioned. Highest share have fishermen with longer experience. The average rate of experience within the sample group of fishermen is 19 years. Pool: 27

Professional and Leisure Time Fishermen Would you consider yourself a full time, part time or leisure time fisherman? (%) Data show that 43% of the respondents within the research pool are professional full time or part time fishermen. The rest of the respondents are leisure time fishermen. Aggregate pool: 28

Incomes from Fishing Please guess: which part of your household’s income stems from fishing? (%) Data received show that only 11% of the interviewed fishermen make their living almost entirely on fishing. Aggregate pool: 28

Fishery as Livelihood Can fishery in the Danube still provide livelihood? Under what conditions? (%) Outputs to this indicator are quite converse. Yet the larger part of fishermen consider that fishery in the Danube cannot longer provide the resources required to sustain their living. Aggregate pool : 28

Knowledge about sturgeons

Known Sturgeon Species in the Danube Which species of sturgeons living in the Danube do you know? (%) Sturgeon species living in the Danube are well known to fishermen. More than 1/3 of the respondents indicate knowledge of sturgeon species different from the most popular ones. Aggregate pool: 28

Distinguishing Sturgeon Species in the Danube All the fishermen distinguish sturgeon species by their physical features. The most commonly indicated features are: „hooter„ - „anal fin“ „spikes„ - „size“ „pattern„ - „scutum“ As regards the size of sturgeons, the opinions of fishermen vary broadly from 200 kg to 1800 kg. The prevailing number of opinions is within the range of 250 and 350 kg.

Knowledge about Sturgeon Maturity and Migration Fishermen’s opinion vary broadly as regards both size and maturity of sturgeon. The maturity age of sturgeons indicated is in the range of 2 and 20 years. About half of the fishermen think that sturgeons reach maturity between the 6th and the 7th year. Approximately 1/3 of the fishermen responded that they do not know. Even more diverse are the respondent’s replies relating to the migration period of sturgeons: „year round“, „from October to May“, „in winter time“, „in spring“, „after December“, „after the first cold spell“, „March – April“ , „spring and autumn“, „February“.

Awareness

How have sturgeon stocks changed in the past 10 years? (%) Sturgeon Stocks Change in the past 10 years How have sturgeon stocks changed in the past 10 years? (%) Research data show that 82% of the fishermen think that sturgeon population has decreased. Pool: 28

Reasons for Sturgeon Stocks Decrease, Threats and Impact of Sturgeon Fishing The larger part of interviewed fishermen have not answered this question. The ones who responded indicate: „pollution“, „aridity“ and „poaching“. The same factors have been indicated by fishermen to be threats to sturgeons, supplemented by catch employing electric current and bombs, as well as barrages. Again, most of the interviewees have not answered the question. Slightly more than half of the interviewed fishermen consider the catch of sturgeons does not influence their population. About 1/3 believe that it decreases it, while the rest does not have an opinion on this issue.

Attitude of Fishermen to Sturgeon Fishing Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements : (%) Pool: 27

Protection of Sturgeons / Knowledge about the Ban

Protection of Sturgeons – Ban on Fishing (1) WAYS OF PROTECTING STURGEONS Most of the interviewed fishermen indicate the ban on fishing as a way to protect the sturgeons. Slightly more than 1/3 of the fishermen state that they do not know how sturgeons are protected. STURGEON SPECIES UNDER FISHING BAN Almost unanimously fishermen state that all the sturgeons are included in the ban on fishing. Only one fisherman has not indicated the ship sturgeon as a protected species.

Protection of Sturgeons – Ban on Fishing (2) SIZE OF STURGEONS INCLUDED IN THE BAN ON FISHING Almost all of the interviewed fishermen state that all the sturgeon species are included in the ban on fishing. One of them believes that the ban refers to all sturgeons larger than 50 cm. SEASONAL RANGE OF THE BAN ON STURGEON FISHING As regards the seasonal range of the ban, fishermen are unanimous that it is in force in all the seasons of the year.

Does the ban apply for… (%) Spatial Range of the Ban on Sturgeon Fishing Does the ban apply for… (%) More than half of the fishermen are informed the ban applies for both the Danube and the Black Sea. Nonetheless, 41% of the respondents indicate that it applies for the Danube only. Pool : 27

What about sturgeon bycatch? (%) More than 2/3 of the fishermen consider they can keep sturgeon bycatch. Only 12% state the fish shall be immediately let back into the water. Pool: 26

Timeframe of the Ban on Sturgeon Fishing and Control Authorities Almost half of the respondents have stated they do not know when the ban on sturgeon fishing will expire. The rest of the fishermen are not unanimous on the timeframe of the ban. Their opinions vary in the range of 2014 to 2020. As regards the authority enforcing the law on sturgeon fishing, the interviewees are unanimous it is NAFA. One of the fishermen added the Ministry of Internal Affairs as well.

Attitudes towards the Ban

Has sturgeon fishery changed since the ban? Did it…? (%) Effect of the Ban on Sturgeon Catch Has sturgeon fishery changed since the ban? Did it…? (%) The largest share under this indicator have the fishermen who do not know how the fishery changed since the ban. Decrease of fishery is indicated by 32% of the fishermen. Aggregate pool: 28

Attitude of Fishermen towards the Ban on Sturgeon Fishing (1) Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements : (%) Aggregate pool: 27

Attitude of Fishermen towards the Ban on Sturgeon Fishing (2) Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements : (%) Pool: 27 Pool: 26

Attitudes towards poaching

Fishermen’s understanding of „poaching“ Definitions of poaching supplied by the interviewed fishermen are quite various: „Fishing by illegal means“ „No document, no permit“ „Unobserving the ban and fishing undersized fish“ „Fishing with bombs and/or electric current“ „Inhumane fishery“ „Outlaw fishery“ „Forbidden methods, small fish and spawning fish“

Fishing of Sturgeons after the Ban There are stories that fishing of sturgeons did not stop in this region after the ban. Did you also hear these stories? (%) Research results show that 1/4 of the fishermen have heard the ban has not fulfilled its purpose and fishing was not cut down. Aggregate pool: 28

Reasons for the continuing fishing of sturgeons The main reasons outlined by the respondents regarding the continuing fishing of sturgeons are: Economical: the region is poor and this is a way of subsistence; Corruption – the law is not enforced in practice, the ban is not observed

Fishing of Sturgeons in other regions / countries Have you heard such stories about other regions/other countries along Danube and Black Sea? (%) Half of the respondents admit they have heard the ban has not fulfilled its functions not only in Bulgaria but in other countries too. Pool: 22

Fishermen’s attitude towards fishing of sturgeons (1) Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements : (%) Aggregate pool: 28

Fishermen’s attitude towards fishing of sturgeons (2) Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements : (%) Pool: 28 Pool: 26

Reporting Poaching Do you think that fishermen would report poachers to the authorities? (%) The majority of interviewed fishermen state that poaching should be reported because it is against the law. Aggregate pool: 28

Ban Control Authority and Reasons for Not Reporting Poaching 2/3 of the fishermen think that poaching should be reported to NAFA. Some of them add the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the fishery inspectors and the environmentalists. Small share of the target pool has not answered the question. Fear of revenge, distrust that anything will change, and unwarranted anonymity are the reasons outlined by fishermen for not reporting cases of poaching.

(How) could fishermen protect sturgeons?

Fishery as a livelihood in the region The target pool of research splits in its assessment as to whether fishing of sturgeons can provide for a living. About 1/3 consider it can. „As long as you fish 2-3 per year“ Another 1/3 of the respondents consider it cannot, because the fish is very limited in numbers. The rest of the fishermen have not given their opinion.

Importance of Sturgeon Fishing to Fishermen How vital is sturgeon fishing for the fishermen in your area? Is it…? (%) Nearly 2/3 of the respondents do not rend high importance to sturgeon fishing. Pool: 27

Ways to cease sturgeon fishing and alternative sources of income In general, sturgeon fishing is considered by most of the fishermen to have a little importance, but those who consider it important doubt that anything could cease it. The larger part of fishermen have not answered the question whether they see alternative sources of income in the region. All that have responded are unanimous that there are none. Only one of the fishermen has stated that construction of Belene Nuclear Power Plant would provide such an alternative.

Sturgeon Protection by Fishermen What could fishermen do to protect sturgeons? Please say to what extent you agree or disagree with each of the following statements: (%) Aggregate pool: 28

Measures applied to protect sturgeons Almost all the fishermen state that small (immature) sturgeons should be released. A smaller part of the interviewees declare against fishing with bombs and electricity. There are single cases of showing readiness to not use carmaci and cooperate with authorities to observe the ban.

Knowledge about sturgeons and related legal matters How well do you feel informed? (%) The respondents in general feel well informed about the biology of sturgeons, as well as the relevant legal regulations. Aggregate pool: 28

Sources and Additional Information Most of the respondents get informed about fishery related matters from NAFA. Other sources, although more rarely mentioned, are: Internet, TV, counsels, other fishermen. Part of the interviewees stated they do not know where they could get additional information from. The additional information that is interesting to fishermen could be summarized as follows: Regarding the ban: interpretation of the law, term of application; Regarding sturgeons – biology, ways to distinguish sturgeons; Other – opportunities to apply for fishery funding under EU programs, ways to cooperate with authorities.

Additional Questions

Gender of Respondents Aggregate pool: 28

Age of Respondents Aggregate pool: 28

Household Income of Respondents Aggregate pool: 28

Household members and number of working people in it How many people live in your household? (incl. respondent)? (%) How many of them are in paid work? (incl. respondent)? (%) Aggregate pool: 28

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