STUDY OF THE PRESENT STATE OF ENVIRONMENT OF THE HABITAT OF COMMON STURGEON SPECIMENT (ACIPENSER STURIO) AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR ITS FURTHER ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION IN GEORGIA

TACIS Black Sea Project, 1996 Component 3.3 Sustainable economic development, subcomponent i.Aquaculture - "common sturgeon" project in Georgia headed by the Consortia of ICWS/DHV and MARINTEK-Dk.

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

1.BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION IN GEORGIA

1.1 International Frame of Biodiversity Protection in Georgia

1.2 National Frame of Biodiversity Protection in Georgia

1.2.1 Law on Environmental Protection

1.2.2 Law on Environmental Permits

1.2.4 Law on the Protection of Wildlife

1.3 The Biodiversity Action Plan Designing Process in Georgia

1.4 National Black Sea Strategic Action Plan

2.      RIVERS OF WESTERN GEORGIA

2.1 Inland Waters

2.2 Freshwater Ichtiofauna Formation in Western Georgia

2.3  Wetlands of the Rioni River Basin and the Floods-

3.      THE BLACK SEA

3.1 Littoral Waters

3.2 Marine Waters

3.3 Extinct, threatened and rare species, which require special consideration

4.      STURGEONS OF THE BLACK SEA

4.1 Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser sturio

4.1.1 Description

4.1.2 Habitat and Location

4.1.3 Threats

4.1.4 Diet

4.1.5 Seasonal Activity

4.2 River Rioni- Expected Habitat of Acipencer Sturio or Common  Specimen

5. FISHERIES IN WESTERN GEORGIA

5.1 Historic and Cultural Overview for Sturgeon Products in Georgia

5.2 Demands for sturgeon products in Georgian market-

5.3 Fish farms of Soviet period-

5.3 Recommendations

6.References

INTRODUCTION

The report has been prepared by the Centre for Environmental Research (CER) and is the  input for the TACIS Black Sea Project, 1996 Component 3.3 Sustainable economic development, subcomponent i.Aquaculture - "common sturgeon" project in Georgia headed by the Consortia of ICWS/DHV and MARINTEK-Dk.

The report is compiled from the data of:  Georgian Ministry of Environment, Georgian environmental NGOs, and other literary sources and is reflecting better available information at the time.

The report identifies main environmental problems in the habitats of sturgeons from the scope of: biodiversity protection, state of freshwater resources, freshwater Ichtiofauna formation. The report contains information on the Black Sea and its: littoral waters, marine waters, fish of the Black Sea, endangered species, which require special consideration, extinct, threatened and rare species.

In particular  research is intended to: describe river Rioni- expected habitat of Acipenser sturio or "common sturgeon" (so called Atlantic sturgeon), presents the photos confirming their existence, makes brief historical and cultural overview and market study for sturgeon products and possibilities of development of sturgeon farms in Georgia, recommendations.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This report has been prepared by:

·        Gia Abramia- Director Centre for Environmental Research

·        Dr. Zurab Zarkua- Black Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Batumi

The contributions by others who are not identified by names are recognized and highly appreciated.

STUDY OF THE PRESENT STATE OF ENVIRONMENT OF THE HABITAT OF COMMON STURGEON SPECIMENT (ACIPENSER STURIO) AND THE POSSIBILITIES FOR ITS FURTHER ARTIFICIAL REPRODUCTION IN GEORGIA

1.BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION IN GEORGIA

1.1 International Frame of Biodiversity Protection in Georgia

In April 1994Georgia signed the Rio Convention. Gradually were signed: the Climate Convention (1994), the  Ramsar Convention (1996) and  CITES (1996).In 1994 Georgia became Party to the: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982
International Maritime Organization  and its 18 Conventions. In 1992 the Black Sea coastal countries signed Convention on the Protection of the Black Sea Against Pollution, Bucharest, 1992 The Bonn and Bern Conventions are presently under consideration.  As signatory to these important international environmental agreements, Georgia enters the world scene with potential for joining the most advanced nations in the field of environmental protection, essential for the preservation of biodiversity and the formation of structures for sustainable development.  Civic groups and other non-governmental organizations all over the country continue to increase their understanding of biodiversity and to ensure that Georgia will adhere to these precepts while developing the quality of life of its citizens.

1.2 National Frame of Biodiversity Protection in Georgia

The present Constitution of Georgia was adopted in 1995, based on precepts of the Constitution of 1921.  Article 37 states:

3.  Everyone has the right to live in a healthy environment and use natural and cultural surroundings.  Everyone is obliged to protect the natural and cultural surroundings.

4.  The State guarantees the protection of nature and the rational use of it to ensure a healthy environment corresponding to the ecological and economic interests of society, and taking into account the interests of current and future generations.

5. Individuals have the right to complete, objective and timely information on the conditions in which they live and work.

1.2.1 Law on Environmental Protection

The Constitution of Georgia provides the right of the citizens “to live in a safe and healthy environment” and the right "to receive complete and timely information on the conditions in which they live and work” (Article 37; Paragraphs 3 and 5 respectively) as basic human rights.  The implementation of these provisions is one of the main objectives of  the Law on Environmental Protection , adopted in December 1996. 

By means of defining relevant principles and standards the Environmental Protection Act  also provides a legal basis for:

·         prevention of adverse effects on the environment

·         improvement of the quality of the environment

·         sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources

·         conservation of biodiversity and maintenance of ecological balance

·         conservation of unique landscapes and ecosystems

·         solving global and regional problems in the field of environmental protection

·         civil obligations and rights in terms of environmental protection

·         environmental education

The  Environmental Protection Law regulates issues related to the establishment/operation of unified system of environmental management by means of provisions on economical mechanisms, licensing systems, environmental standards, etc.  It also sets environmental requirements to be taken into account when making decisions concerning any kind of enterprise or implementing any development programs. 

According to this law, legal and real persons must take additional preventive measures in the direction of solving global and regional environmental problems such as climate change, biodiversity conservation, ozone layer depletion, Black Sea pollution, etc.

The Environmental Protection Act was designed in accordance with Agenda 21 principles and international conventions (Convention on Biodiversity Conservation, Convention on Climate Change, etc.); a number of environmental standards adopted by the European Council are also integrated in this act.

Apart from providing the legal basis for sustainable development and sustainable use of natural resources, the Environmental Protection Act is also expected to promote the process of replacing the former Soviet “collective responsibility” principle by “individual responsibility”.  To this end it aims to prevent Georgia from making mistakes not unfamiliar to many developing countries: in particular from becoming a market for products which are environmentally hazardous and dangerous to human health, or which produce goods obtained by using environmentally unacceptable technologies.  It also will prevent using the country as a dumping ground for the disposal of hazardous waste.

On the basis of this law, other legislation is being considered. 

The Parliament Newsletter lists 113 acts  to be prepared in near future (Parliaments Utskebani, November 21, 1996, #27-28/4, page 37-38); 35 of these acts directly relate to the conservation of biodiversity.  They will cover a variety of biodiversity issues, and in particular: establishment of six national parks; the status of protected area categories; accession to the Agreement on AEMWB; preparation of a new Red List for Georgia; the conservation of domestic animals; forestry; fishery; hunting and hunting reserves etc.  Land use and waste management, as well as global environmental issues, will also be covered by these laws.

The Environmental Protection Act forms the legal basis for the laws on Environmental Permits  and the State Ecological Expertise as well as provisions on Environmental Impact Assessment.

1.2.2 Law on Environmental Permits

The Act describes the procedures for  issuing EPs (EP Act, Ch. 2), specified depending on type of activity and possible environmental impact.

Provisions on Environmental Impact Assessment According to the Provisions on Environmental Impact Assessment, which shall regulate the procedure for determining and studying the anticipated effects of development activities, the EIA represents the evidential documentation on the development activity and the assessments of the likely environmental (ecological and socio economical) impacts thereof. The EIA shall be carried out to ensure ecological and social-economic balance of the future economical development of Georgia, and should precede the decision-making on project implementation (cf. Literature review on Laws and Regulations, EIA prov.).

The key principles of the EIA shall be (cf. Literature review on Laws and Regulations, EIA prov. 2.1) :

“Integrated discussion on technical, technological, ecological, social and economic indices for project decisions on development activities

Variance of project decisions for ensuring compliance with ecological requirements

Complex provision for regional and local peculiarities”.

11.2.3 Law on State Ecological Expertise

According to the SEE act, the following bodies are authorized to carry out ecological expertise (Ch. 2, Art. 4):

·        the Ministry of Environment of Georgia

·        the Ministries of Environment of Acharian and Abkhazian Autonomous Republics

·        Tbilisi Committee for environmental protection and regulation of natural resources

“The purpose of the SEE shall be to ensure maintenance of ecological balance in the environment, based on the principles of environmental requirements, rational utilization of natural resources and sustainable development.” (SEE act Ch., art. 1.)  In this context, the SEE is an essential environmental measure which must be carried out in the course of the decision-making process.  According to the SEE the body authorized to conduct the SEE must:

·        set up expert commissions intended for studying the case concerned

·        provide required information

·        register independent experts and develop a data base

·        co-operate with executive authorities

The Ministry of Environment has the right to invite foreign experts to carry out the SEE (SEE act Ch. 2, art. 4.4).  In the SEE Act Ch. 2, art 7.1, it is stated: “The results of the state ecological expertise shall be incorporated into the SEE statement which shall be prepared by the SEE expert commission and submitted to the authorized body for approval.

Criteria for approval for the SEE are as follows:

·        compliance with the legislation of Georgia and environmental standards and regulations effective in Georgia

·        the implementation of the activity intended is unlikely to cause irreversible qualitative and quantitative changes in the environment

·        measures are planned to avoid or minimize the impact on the environment including mitigation of possible effects of emergency situations

The whole process of SEE is funded by the applicant.  The SEE Act gives a general description of the Environmental Impact Assessment procedure indicating that this issue will be covered by a special act and “Resolution on Environmental Impact Assessment” to be prepared by the Ministry of Environment.

1.2.4 Law on the Protection of Wildlife

This law has been passed and will come into effect September 1, 1997.  It regulates the relation between the authorities and legal and real persons in the field of wild fauna use and protection.  It protects wild animal species, their habitats, and their derivatives; it ensures sustainable use of Georgia’s wild fauna and serves as a legal base for both ex situ and in situ conservation of wild animal species.  The law clearly defines the responsibilities of the State bodies as well as civil obligations in animal protection and conservation and also ensures public participation in this field.  According to this law, during the implementation of any kind of development programmed the protection of habitats, migration routes, breeding grounds and other sites of vital importance to wild animals must be ensured. 

The categories of threatened species provided in this law coincide with those of IUCN.  This law also regulates the use of plant protection chemicals, translocation, hybridization of wild animals as well as the introduction of alien species.  The law defines two types of use of wild fauna:

general use - for recreational, aesthetic, etc. purposes without taking wild fauna out of their natural environment.  This type of use is free.

special use - use of wild fauna that implies taking fauna out of the environment (hunting, fishing, gathering etc.).  The Ministry of Environment draws up a list of species, quotas and standards for special use of wild fauna. 

Hunting: Except in the case of migratory birds, amateur and sport shooting are permitted in specially designated areas--hunting reserves.  The hunting code outlined in this law prohibits the use of hunting methods that produce damage to the environment or cause animals to suffer.  Permits on the establishment of a hunting reserve may be given both to legal and real persons.  Other types of special use are also subject to licensing, including capturing and keeping animals in captivity or semi-captivity.  In this case the applicant must meet the requirements set by the Ministry of Environment.

The law provides a mechanism for the regulation of the use of wild fauna economically, promoting sustainable use and environmentally sound technologies.

It should be noted that if any provision of Georgian legislation is interpreted otherwise by international conventions or agreements to which Georgia is a party, priority is given to the latter, provided it does not contradict the Constitution of Georgia. 

1.3 The Biodiversity Action Plan Designing Process in Georgia

In a future strategy and action plan, consideration of the increasingly diverse areas of human activity should place the accent on sustainable economics, in several fields which have yet to be systematically studied.  

Although the Abkhazian situation has remained at a standstill since the conflicts earlier in the decade, the Inguri Dam, which supplies both Georgia and the Abkhazian region with power, has continued to function with cooperation on both sides.  Ecologically speaking, Abkhazia continues to suffer, but perhaps less in certain regions than during periods of mass tourism.  Yet war brought its own specific damages, also long-term.

New mass tourism has begun on the slopes of the Caucasus with the inception of joint ventures promoting heli-ski and permanent ski slopes with international hotel structures growing in the Gudauri area and more recently in Bakuriani.  Similar damage is being observed to that experienced in heavily frequented regions of the Alps.  Georgia should now seek legislative protection for the environment in the domain of tourism.  This includes hunting and fishing tourism, which presently depends more on special, often high-level "connections" to gain permits than on enforced legislation.

After and during conflicts in many areas of the Caucasus, movements of wildlife towards safer areas meant increased poaching in Georgia.  Examples include the Azerbaijan/Armenian and Russian/Chechen conflicts as well as internal Georgian hostilities.  Ecological stress related to such conflicts includes unusual concentrations of populations which strain resources to the breaking point or beyond: internally displaced persons from Abkhazia have added to urban problems and to the overuse of natural resources in specific areas of the country.  Also military troop concentrations, firing ranges, land mines in conflict regions and illegal hunting to feed troops has spoiled natural areas.

In other spheres of human activity biodiversity should be promoted to increase productivity.  This includes freshwater fish farming--perhaps in conjunction with warm water resources--and the culture of medicinal plants, the latter linked to long-standing Georgian traditions.

The GEF funded programme to develop a Strategy and Action Plan for the preservation of biological diversity began in late 1996, based on the materials of the present Report.  The World Bank has been selected by GEF as implementing partner.

1.4 National Black Sea Strategic Action Plan

The National Black Sea Strategic Action Plan is being prepared on behalf of United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), by the Centre for Environmental Research (the “Consultant”) closely coordinated with BSEP National Coordinator for Georgia, experts, independent reviewers.  The OPC  executed project RER/96/G32/A/G/31 was funded by GEF.

The provided research identified main problems regarding  BSSAP implementation for Georgia. In respect to existing data kindly submitted by the Ministry of Environment and other relevant agencies and NGOs, the created team investigated: present state of Georgian environment, protection measures undertaken, existing problems, ongoing projects, future trends.

It enables to familiarise with the environmental, and safety regulatory regimes relating to Greenfield site developments. The process  covers institutional arrangements for environmental, and safety control, legislative requirements,  public access to information, liability.

Unfortunately some of the data especially from Abkhazian part of Georgia was not available.

Sectoral analyses of  the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan and different national reports were made .

Technical meeting on Inception Report consolidated analyses of the consultants reports and defined main existing problems for further recommendations for the NBS-SAP.

The draft National Black Sea Strategic Action Plan was worked out in consideration with the

problems identified during: sectoral analyses of target priorities for the proposed actions identified

during: National Environmental Action Plan designing process.

The National implementation of the regional BSSAP gives sectoral analyses identifying main actions should be undertaken addressing  particular national problems,  planns actions and their solution, as well as identifies National policies and strategies for coastal zone management

2. RIVERS OF WESTERN GEORGIA

2.1 Inland Waters

 West Georgian rivers (under pipeline impact) each fish species exhibits variability that is favored by diversity of natural conditions and different ecological parameters in various parts of given system. For instance, the oil pipeline crosses rivers inhabited by the two populations of trout (high and middle montage subspecies). The first one is widespread in mountainous headstreams (upper part of trout habitat, where this form dwells and covers short distances in certain directions). Middle montage trout inhabits lower part of trout habitat (foothills and mountains of moderate heights), where one third of oil pipeline will be constructed. This form migrates on long distances. For instance, in summer when temperature of water in river reaches more than 15⁰C, it moves up to mountains and mingles with high montage population. In autumn, middle montage trout migrates downstream to breeding and wintering grounds.

In West Georgia the oil pipeline passes through the regions characterized with gradually increasing fish stocks (compared to upper reaches). Number and diversity of feeding grounds rises together with water temperature increase.

Quite a common thing for these fish species is that they belong to hemophilic group adapted to vehement streams. Moreover, all of these organisms are lithophils  preferring to spawn under stones or stick it to them. However, spawn of several species is not sticky. They are characterized with port ional spawning,  are of partial omnivorous nature, and some of them feeds on algae attached to stones.

Because of small size, narrow course and fast stream, and stony or stone-pebbled beds of the rivers in case of oil spillage from pipeline oil products will rapidly be carried by the flow and deposited onto the stony ground. This will degrade the quality both of spawning and nursing areas.

The rivers of foothill sub zone and, especially the river Rioni (section Samtredia-village Bashi) provide spawning grounds for sturgeons (the Black/Azov Sea sturgeon, Atlantic sturgeon).

The ichtiofauna of this sub zone is predominated by warm- and, to the lesser extent, oxygen-requiring (oxaphils) species which release spawn on sand-pebble beds. Spawning is boreal, and sticky spawn attaches to the ground.

Fish species of this zone are rheophilic organisms, most of them characterized with preference to stony grounds and depending both on specialized (zoobenthic, plankton) or mixed food. They (except of sturgeons) do not undertake large-scale migrations, and enter the nearest rivers or streams for spawning.

Possible spillage of poisonous oil substances near mouths of the rivers Khanistskali, Koristskali, Sulori and Kumuri will greatly alter hydroecology of the system. The rivers will carry them down to their mouths and facilitate continuing destruction of sturgeons’ spawning grounds (confined within this area). Of course, anatropous fish species will also suffer from degradation of spawning, nursing and feeding grounds (with the greatest share of zoo benthic species). Due to low velocity of water flow, in case of oil spillage spread of oil products will not be so rapid as in montage regions, but certain amounts of oil products will lodge in sediments and settle to the bottom of bays and springs (fish fattening areas) further affecting aquatic life. So damage will be more severe than in mountainous areas.     

From Lanchkhuti the oil pipeline passes westward to the Black Sea coast crossing Kolkheti lowland. Diversity of the freshwater ictiofauna  is determined by sluggish flows and lowland character itself. The riverbeds are sandy and silted. Most of the fish species are phytophils releasing small spawn. Share of plankton as a food source is gradually increasing and appearance of predators becomes evident. Marine diadromous species enter mouths of the river (including the Supsa canyon).

2.2 Freshwater Ichtiofauna Formation in Western Georgia

Contemporary composition and ecological-geographical distribution of Georgian freshwater ichtiofauna is a result of long historic development, during which it was formed on the basis of various autistic complexes. In terrestrial waters of different biogeographical districts they found appropriate ecological niche and provided for new local forms during adaptation to natural conditions.

The geographic position either of Georgia or Caucasus, and geological past nurtured the diversity of sources for ichtiofauna formation. This, along with diverse physic-chemical conditions, resulted in qualitative richness of ichtiofauna and peculiarities of its ecological-geographical distribution. 

Formation of the freshwater ichtiofauna was taking place together with the natural complexes; it represents an inseparable part of these complexes and reflects the character of the landscape, to which it proved to be adapted during the formation.

Already in the past,  the network of fresh waters was enriched with places of rather different ecological characters (river flow, temperature, transparency of water, food, spawning ground etc.), such as: saline waters; low-salinity areas; river mouths and various reaches of  rivers. While adapting to distinct ecological conditions, the fish species have been creating the faunistic complexes, characteristic to given area.

Georgian freshwater ichtiofauna consists of 56 species and 32 subspecies, i. e.  taxonomic units that belong to 18 families and 47 genera. Of them in West Georgia are found: 1).Lampetra mariae, 2). Huso huso, 3). Acipenser nudiventris, 4). A.guldenstadti, 5). A. Sturio, 6). A. Stelatus.

Review of ichtiofauna given above clearly shows, that West Georgia is far more rich in  the freshwater forms than the eastern part of the country. This is conditioned by the extensive network of water bodies in this region and proximity to the sea: on the section to the South from the river Psou to the river Chorokhi ten full-flowing rivers enter the Black Sea. Moreover, there are lots of lakes (Paliastomi, Nabada, Bebesiri, Inkiti, Amtkeli, Gorapi etc.) connected either with rivers  or the Black Sea.

2.3 Wetlands of the Rioni River Basin and the Floods

Kolkheti Wetlands are located in the Western part of the Kolkheti (See Map-Kolkheti Wetlands) Lowland, they occupy 33 710 ha area and represent the deep tectonic depression, filled with thick layer of disintegrated materials. Kolkheti Wetland is an ecosystem of natural origin. This territory of Kolkheti lowland is an area of intensive sedimentation processes. Development of intensive sedimentation processes was assisted by structural peculiarity. From the structural point of view this territory is connected with Rioni inter-mountainous depression strip, which was characterized by tectonic submerging processes during Quaternary period (including Holocene). Submerging process is continuing even today, which is indicated by geodetic measurements. Submerging rate is almost 3.1 mm/year near village Chaladidi and reaches 6.5 mm near town Poti. The submerging process is compensated by excessive accumulation. Sedimentation was particularly intensive in the western parts of the territories, contributed by the preventing influence of the sea as  base level of erosion on the surface waters drainage.