For the second year, the For Our Sea Foundation has presented its Saviour of the Sturgeons 2025 award recognising a fisherman who has demonstrated exceptional commitment in ensuring the protection of endangered sturgeon in the Black Sea.
This year the award goes to skipper Petar Tereshtenkov from the coastal town of Byala in Bulgaria. Coinciding with International Black Sea Day, with the award presented today in the port of Byala.
In the second year of the initiative, three new fishing vessels joined the project, expanding its scope and impact. Since the beginning of the initiative, the participating fishermen have rescued and safely released a total of 186 sturgeons back into the Black Sea. Among these are the three largest sturgeons ever recorded within the project – measuring 200cm, 260cm, and a record 325cm, the largest of which was caught and safely released by Petar Tereshtenkov in April this year.
The Saviour of the Sturgeons initiative was launched by the For Our Sea Foundation to promote and recognise examples of responsible fishing practices and to support the collection of valuable scientific data on the condition of sturgeon populations in the Black Sea. Each participating vessel documents every rescued sturgeon, recording the location, size, and weight of the fish before returning it safely to the sea. These data contribute to better understanding of sturgeon habitats and population dynamics in the region.
The organisers have announced their intention to extend the initiative to Romania and Turkey, aiming to build a broader, international network for sturgeon protection across the region.
‘In just two years, we have seen how a small idea can grow into a long-term initiative with impressive results. We are sharing the collected data with Bulgarian authorities and leading international organisations working to preserve the Black Sea ecosystem,’ said Dimitar Dimitrov, chairman of the For Our Sea Foundation.
‘The next step is to extend this cooperation to our neighbours in Romania and Turkey, because only through joint efforts can we achieve the results our sea truly needs.’
He commented that the For Our Sea Foundation’s project demonstrates that the Black Sea fishing community can play a decisive role in their preservation – and that the sustainable future of the sea depends on collaboration between fishermen, scientists, and environmental organisations.
In just two years, Saviour of the Sturgeons has become one of the most visible examples of cooperation between the fishing sector and environmental advocates in the effort to protect marine biodiversity in the Black Sea.
