From the oldest times, fishing has been the main occupation of the people living in the Danube Delta. Although nowadays the fish resource has significantly declined, fishing continues to be practiced at industrial scale in this protected area of international interest.

The fish population of the Danube Delta is affected both by the decline of biodiversity and by an unprecedented decrease in numbers. The situation is caused by the destruction of the water ecosystems through human activities (dyking, channeling and chamfering), pollution and electric poaching. Given the circumstances, the negative impact of the industrial fishing out of control practiced within the biosphere reserve, disregarding the real fish strain and the ecosystem?s capacity for regeneration, is beyond of a doubt a profound one. The decrease in the fish population in the Delta is affecting the entire trophic chain of this fragile ecosystem unique in the world.

In order to reduce the current imbalance in the water ecosystems of the Delta, it is absolutely necessary to limit industrial fishing. Reducing this activity cannot be done without undertaking a re-training and re-employment program for the locals in the Delta to shift towards alternative income-generating activities such as eco-tourism and small scale production of typical products for the Danube Delta, by reviving local traditions (like processing of reed and mace reed).

This is the overall background of the project proposed by the Association ?Save the Danube and the Delta ? Academia Catavencu? (SDD-AC) whose purpose is to provide a model approach for reducing the danger represented by unsustainable industrial fishing in the Danube Delta by supporting small fishing communities in developing alternative income-generating activities, especially tourism based on local traditions.

In order to reach this purpose , the project proposes the following objectives::
- supporting a local NGO and the local community to become aware of the need to use natural resources in a sustainable way
- developing the capacity of the local population to use local resources in a sustainable way by helping them run alternative income-generating activities
- raising the awareness of the local community regarding the opportunities available through European Funds
- Ensuring visibility for the project activities

Through its objectives the project aims to achieve the following:
1 Create community-based activities in order to ensure living means and reduce pressure on protected areas where biodiversity of costal, marine and fresh water ecosystems are being preserved.
2 Develop environmentally viable eco-tourism schemes, with participation and administration by the local level
3 Sustain capacity building and provide technical assistance for the conservation of species and habitats in fishing communities dealing with loss of biodiversity of main trans-boundary marine, river or lake species.

The project activities address a rural fishery community living within the most important protected area in Romania, of international interest for biodiversity conservation, the Danube Delta Biosphere Reserve. The activities aim at developing the capacity of the local community in the pilot site Mahmudia through training, workshops, seminars; lobby at local and central levels for sustainable use of the fish resource of the Delta; setting up a workshop for the processing of reed and mace reed, facilities for eco-tourism and a local museum; organizing a camp for students from local schools; developing an institutional development plan and a business plan for one of the local NGOs; disseminating the accomplishments of the project in the media; publication and dissemination of information material.

The project will involve approximately 90 people from three organizations in Mahmudia: The Professional Association of Fishermen ?Sons of the Delta?, the community of Russian Lippovans, and the Association for Civil Society Development in Rural Areas. Through the activities organized by the project approximately 40 young people and 25 women will be trained.

SDD-AC aims to replicate the positive results of the pilot project in other areas of the Biosphere Reserve and continue the activities proposed through follow-up projects.