The Institute of Biology was established along several stages, starting 1949, when several departments were set up, in 1954 other three departments were added, and in 1957 all these laboratories were gathered to establish the first Center of Biological Research in Romania, headed by Prof. W. Knechtel. In the beginning of 1973 the Central Institute of Biology was established as a national structure required for biological research, having our Institute as a pivotal institute. During this log history, the institute was involved in many research projects. The main activity is the fundamental research in the fields of Ecology, Taxonomy and Nature Conservation, Microbiology and Cytobiology, but many of the projects have applicable results (nature conservation, impact studies, biotechnology, nanotechnology, etc).

The Institute of Biology Bucharest is actively involved in the study of aquatic biodiversity and nature conservation activities at national and international level through the activities of the Ecology, Taxonomy and Nature Conservation Department. The participation in the MEASURES project and the creation of the information system for seen in WP3 will facilitate the knowledge exchange with other regional partners, providing an overview of the current conservation measures for migratory fish and their habitats in different countries, highlighting the gaps and contributing to the alignment of measures at basin wide scale. The establishment of the ecological corridors along the Danube River and major tributaries will support IBRA's efforts to implement the EU nature related legislation at national level and improve the conservation status of species and habitats of community interest, contributing to the harmonization of the conservation efforts at regional level. The networking activities for seen in WP3 will build on the existing contacts of each partner. It is expected that the 3 series of national workshops planned in WP3 (with data owners, water-biodiversity-fishery stakeholders, infrastructure developers) will improve the general understanding on the movements performed by migratory fish and their need of habitats connectivity, enhancing the regional support for the establishment and conservation of ecological corridors, as well as improving authorities response to nature conservancy.

The main objective for engaging stakeholders in MEASURES project is to achieve a shared understanding of the project results and implementation at national and basin level, as well as an improved implementation process, improved feedback and data collection. One of these objectives is to establish a national network between the stakeholders involved in the project activities, in particular for the conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats.

There are number of different dimensions, which should be considered when identifying stakeholders, like responsibility, influence, proximity, dependency, representation, etc. As a first step, a list of stakeholders was prepared by the partners from each country and discussed at the stakeholder engagement training to ensure all relevant key stakeholders are included.

In February 2019, IBRA together with Ministry of Water and Forest and WWF – RO, organized the first national workshop, which was held in the Romanian Academy buildings. After the welcoming speeches and opening of the workshop, the participants were invited to round tables according to those three working groups and categories.

This event (national workshop) with data owners was a good oportunity to present the project, raise their support for data upload on the MIS. The workshop in national language with national stakeholders, nature conservationists and agencies relevant for long- and medium-distance migrants, facilitated to update situation regarding the implementation of policies, plans and strategies in Romania, regarding conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats.

Data circulation between the institutions involved in conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats should be a necessity to identify data sources / information concerning conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats movement of data between institutions involved in conservation of migratory fish species and their habitats.