The BRF team travels to Bulgaria to join partners in launching the LIFE project “Conservation of the stone crayfish for reviving the river ecosystems”
On 27-28 November, partners of the LIFE project “Conservation of the stone crayfish for reviving the river ecosystems” (101213136 — LIFE24-NAT-BG-RiverLIFE) met in Kalofer, Bulgaria, for the official kick-off meeting, marking the start of a seven-year effort to protect the stone crayfish and improve river ecosystems in Central Bulgaria.
The meeting brought together more than ten experts from Fortis Visio Ltd., the Science for Nature Foundation, the Blue Rivers Foundation, the Institute of Biodiversity and Ecosystem Research, and the Institute of Fisheries and Aquaculture. Coordinated by Fortis Visio Ltd., the partnership will work to restore river connectivity, rebuild habitats, and support long-term species recovery.
As part of the kick-off, the team visited key areas along the Tundzha and Stryama river basins, where restoration measures will take place. Alongside the field visits, partners discussed the main objectives, challenges, and methodological approaches that will guide the work during the first project’s year, a period that is critical for planning and ensuring the smooth start of all activities.
The stone crayfish (Austropotamobius torrentium) is a small but crucial species for river health. In Bulgaria, more than 75% of its populations are in poor condition, affected by habitat fragmentation, degraded water quality, and climate-related pressures. Artificial barriers, such as small dams, weirs, and culverts, are among the primary threats, breaking river continuity and preventing the movement of aquatic species.
RiverLIFE aims to reverse these trends. The project will remove at least 30 obsolete barriers, reconnecting 83 kilometres of streams and restoring natural flow processes. Additional actions include riparian forest restoration, a breeding and release programme for stone crayfish, and extensive outreach to engage local communities.
The targeted restoration areas lie in the upper catchments of the Stryama and Tundzha rivers, important biodiversity corridors linking the Balkan Mountains and Sredna Gora. Improving the ecological condition of these rivers will benefit many freshwater species and strengthen the resilience of local ecosystems.
The meeting was held within the framework of the project “Conservation of the stone crayfish for reviving the river ecosystems” (No. 101213136 — LIFE24-NAT-BG-RiverLIFE), co-financed by the European Union’s LIFE programme. The views and opinions expressed however belong solely to the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the EU or CINEA. Neither the EU, nor the granting authority LIFE Programme can be held responsible for them.
