SturNet Activities

Events Timeline

Explore workshops, field activities, project meetings, and monitoring events.

01
Training for Fishers

Final SturNet training sessions for fishers held in Burgas

The SturNet training series concluded with two sessions for fishing communities in Komluka and Sarafovo, Burgas. Fishers shared experience and explored digital tools for sturgeon conservation.

22 October 2026 Komluka and Sarafovo, Burgas, Bulgaria
02
Training for Fishers

SturNet training brings together fishers in Primorsko and Sozopol

Two SturNet training sessions in Primorsko and Sozopol engaged local fishing communities in discussions on sturgeon conservation and introduced digital tools for reporting and information exchange.

21 October 2026 Primorsko and Sozopol, Bulgaria
03
Training for Fishers

Fishers in Tsarevo take part in SturNet training on sturgeon conservation

A SturNet training session in Tsarevo brought together members of the fishing community to exchange practical experience, discuss sturgeon conservation and learn about the project’s digital tools.

20 October 2026 Tsarevo, Bulgaria
04
Award Recognition

SturNet Recognised with an Honourable Mention at the Black Sea Project Awards 2026

SturNet received an Honourable Mention at the Black Sea Project Awards 2026, announced during the Common Maritime Agenda Stakeholder Conference in Burgas. The recognition highlights the project’s contribution to healthy marine and coastal ecosystems, sturgeon conservation, and regional cooperation in the Black Sea Basin.

30 September 2026 Burgas, Bulgaria
05
National Awareness Event

Ukraine: National Awareness-Raising Event on Sturgeon Conservation

Researchers, public authorities, environmental organisations, fishers and young people came together in Odesa and Kryzhanivka to exchange knowledge and strengthen cooperation for sturgeon conservation in the Black Sea Basin.

25–26 September 2026 Odesa and Kryzhanivka, Ukraine
06
Project Meeting

SturNet Partners Meet in Türkiye for the Fourth Transnational Project Meeting

The SturNet consortium gathered in Türkiye for TPM4, hosted by Gebze Technical University. The meeting combined project coordination, digital cooperation tool planning, future collaboration discussions, and a study visit to a sturgeon breeding centre in Bolu.

16–17 September 2026 Gebze & Bolu, Türkiye
07
Scientific Conference

SturNet Digital Mapping Tool Presented at the 46th IAD Conference

The SturNet team presented the project’s Digital Mapping Tool at the 46th IAD Conference in Baja, Hungary. The poster highlighted environmental monitoring, mobile reporting, spatial visualization, eDNA indicators, and digital tools supporting sturgeon conservation in the Danube–Black Sea region.

10–13 August 2026 Baja, Hungary
08
National Awareness Event

National Awareness Raising Event – Greece

Aristotle University of Thessaloniki organised a national awareness-raising event focused on sturgeon conservation, environmental DNA monitoring, aquaculture, biodiversity protection, and cooperation for the sustainability of the Black Sea Basin ecosystem. The event included eight scientific presentations and brought together researchers, academics, students, and other interested stakeholders.

17 June 2026 Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece
09
Field Research

Acoustic Receiver Deployment and Sturgeon Tagging in the Sakarya River

SturNet researchers completed acoustic range testing, deployed receivers, and tagged ten sturgeons to support long-term monitoring of movement, habitat use, and conservation needs in the Sakarya River.

14–15 May 2026 Sakarya River, Türkiye
10
International Workshop

International Awareness-Raising and Networking Workshop

“Building a Transnational Network for Sturgeon Conservation in the Black Sea Basin”. GeoEcoMar hosted an international SturNet workshop focused on transnational cooperation, innovative digital tools, scientific exchange, and long-term action for the protection of sturgeon species in the Black Sea Basin.

7–8 April 2026 GeoEcoMar / Black Sea Basin
11
SturNet Seminar

SturNet Network: Innovation and Education for Biodiversity Conservation

As part of the international seminar on marine pollution management held in Odesa, the SturNet project highlighted new opportunities for environmental education, scientific cooperation, and transnational action for sturgeon conservation in the Black Sea Basin.

27 February 2026 Odesa, Ukraine
12
Molecular Monitoring

Successful Collection and Analysis of Sturgeons from Skin Mucus and eDNA Samples

Between March and December 2025, SturNet partners from Romania, Bulgaria, and Ukraine collected non-invasive skin mucus samples and advanced eDNA-based molecular analyses, identifying 14 sturgeon specimens and supporting improved biodiversity monitoring in the Black Sea Basin.

March–December 2025 Romania · Bulgaria · Ukraine
13
Scientific Conference

SturNet Research Presented at ETAGRO 2025

The Aristotle University team presented SturNet research at ETAGRO 2025 in Florina, Greece, highlighting eDNA-based detection of Trichodina spp. and its implications for sturgeon population health, ecosystem monitoring, and future parasite-risk assessment in the Black Sea Basin.

10–11 October 2025 Florina, Greece
14
Educational Visit

Educational Visit to Sturgeon Aquaculture Facilities in Greece

Undergraduate students from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki visited Oxyrynghos Hellas S.A. in Kefalari, Drama, as part of the Aquaculture & Fish Breeding course. The visit introduced students to sturgeon production, hatchery systems, grow-out raceways, biosecurity, and caviar production.

2025 Kefalari, Drama, Greece