My name is Ezgi Ergin. I am an Aquatic Sciences and Engineer graduate from Istanbul University. I am currently involved in the DINO-PATH project as an IVY volunteer. Throughout my education, I had the opportunity to learn about different fish species and aquatic ecosystems, but the story of sturgeons has truly fascinated me.
Having existed for approximately 200 million years, these remarkable creatures silently travel through the waters of the Black Sea while carrying the natural history of the region with them.
Generations of people living along the Black Sea coast have changed, cities have grown, and national borders have shifted. Yet sturgeons have continued their journey between rivers and seas. That is why I have always found their story so impressive. Very few living creatures have managed to survive for millions of years.
Unfortunately, life is no longer as easy for sturgeons as it once was. Due to pollution, habitat loss, barriers built on rivers, and many other factors, their populations have declined dramatically. Once an integral part of the Black Sea ecosystem, these species are now facing the risk of extinction.
This is where the DINO-PATH project comes in. Led by Istanbul University, the project brings together universities and research institutions from Türkiye, Bulgaria, and Romania. The project partners include Trakia University and the Institute of Fish Resources from Bulgaria, as well as the National Institute for Marine Research and Development “Grigore Antipa” from Romania. Together, the partners work to better understand sturgeon migration routes, collect scientific data, and contribute to the conservation of these species.
As an IVY volunteer, I support the communication activities of the project. I contribute to the preparation of social media content and help promote events and field activities. Through this experience, I am not only learning more about sturgeons, but also witnessing how people from different countries can work together towards a common goal.
I believe this is one of the most valuable aspects of the project. Sturgeons do not recognize the borders drawn by humans. They can leave a river and reach the shores of another country. Protecting them therefore requires us to think beyond borders as well.
Today, sturgeons are still struggling to survive in the waters of the Black Sea. Every effort made to protect them is of great importance for the future of the species, ensuring that future generations will not have to learn about these extraordinary creatures only from books.
Thanks to IVY, being part of this work, being able to use my professional knowledge in a different context, and sharing this story with more people has become a truly valuable experience for me.
– Ezgi , IVY Project Partner at the University of Istanbul, for the Interreg project DINO-PATH, under the programme Interreg NEXT Black Sea Basin.
