Why, How and Results from an Awareness Campaign Within Marine Professional Fishermen for the Protection of Large Migratory Fish, the European Sturgeon Acipenser sturio

Mortalities arising from accidental catches of European sturgeon at sea represent one of the main threats to the diadromous species. The information and awareness-raising among fishermen, and more generally the maritime sector on an European scale, is of the highest importance for the success of the species’ restoration programmes. The French national committee for marine fisheries and sea farming (CNPMEM) has been addressing French professional fishermen in that way since 2006, as they are the most likely to be involved in accidental catching of the fish. The communication campaign has been extended since 2008 over the area of marine distribution of the species, with the creation and mobilisation of an international information network. Several communication tools are nowadays available (leaflets, posters, video documentary, website, etc.) and contribute to the dissemination of the campaign messages. In addition to the proactive assistance provided by the European maritime sector, the accidental catches of six adults and 39 juveniles, released alive since the end of 2006, have been reported through the information network. Taking into account the progressive dispersion into the natural environment of the young sturgeons issued from recent artificial reproductions, communication campaigns must be continued in France and abroad.