\u00a0![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bspb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/\u0441\u043d\u0438\u043c\u043a\u0430-\u0412\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0438\u043c\u0438\u0440-\u041c\u043b\u0430\u0434\u0435\u043d\u043e\u0432-300x225.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Picture: Vladimir Mladenov – BSPB<\/p>\n
The main objective of the project, implemented by BSPB, is to identify, assess and prioritise river barriers in the Bulgarian part of the Struma River basin and establish the ecological, technical and legal groundwork for the future removal of the most suitable barriers. The aim is to restore river connectivity and improve the condition of aquatic ecosystems.<\/p>\n
Over the course of one year, the project will carry out the following activities:<\/p>\n
- \n
- \n
Inventorying river barriers along more than 800 km of river stretches through field surveys and drone-based assessments.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Creating a database and prioritising the identified barriers according to their ecological importance and the feasibility of their removal.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Conducting legal, administrative and technical assessments of 15 priority barriers, including checks on ownership, legal status and current use; carrying out detailed ecological assessments of seven selected barriers, focusing primarily on fish, alongside additional studies of hydromorphology and macroinvertebrates.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Developing conceptual technical designs and preliminary cost estimates for the removal of two barriers.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Consulting stakeholders and preparing a roadmap for future barrier removals.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
- \n
Carrying out communication activities, including information materials, press releases, a short video and a final seminar.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The target area covers the Bulgarian part of the Struma River basin, downstream of the Pchelina Reservoir to the Greek border, including the main river and 14 key tributaries. The project area covers approximately 7,000 km\u00b2 and around 800 km of river stretches that are important for fish migration and the restoration of river connectivity.<\/p>\n
Located in southwestern Bulgaria, at the meeting point of Mediterranean and continental climatic influences, the Struma River valley is an area of exceptionally rich biodiversity. The river forms an important ecological corridor connecting some of the highest mountain ranges on the Balkan Peninsula with the Aegean Sea. Its diverse river habitats support numerous rare and endemic species, particularly fish and other aquatic organisms – Vardar nase (Chondrostoma vardarense), Struma barbel (Barbus strumicae), Dark vimba (Vimba melanops), Struma spined loach (Cobitis strumicae), Aegean chub (Squalius orphaeus), Struma stone loach (Oxynoemacheilus bureschi), Struma spirlin (Alburnoides strymonicus), Macedonian trout (Salmo macedonicus), Struma minnow (Phoxinus strymonicus), Aegean gudgeon (Gobio bulgaricus), Stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium), Noble crayfish (Astacus astacus) and Thick-shelled river mussel (Unio crassus).<\/p>\n
The Struma River basin is also important for a range of human activities, including rafting, recreational fishing, various forms of tourism, and the cultivation of grapes, fruit and vegetables.<\/p>\n
BSPB experts are surveying pre-selected stretches of the river and its tributaries, collecting data and recording various technical parameters of the river barriers according to a specially developed methodology. The surveys are expected to be completed by early spring 2027.<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\")
<\/p>\nPicture: Stela-Teodora Trendafilova<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bspb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/\u0441\u043d\u0438\u043c\u043a\u0430-\u0421\u0442\u0435\u043b\u0430-\u0422\u0435\u043e\u0434\u043e\u0440\u0430-\u0422\u0440\u0435\u043d\u0434\u0430\u0444\u0438\u043b\u043e\u0432\u0430-300x225.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/bspb.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/image003-300x104.jpg\")
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"