The Bastroe Channel (a.k.a. Bastroe Canal, Bystroye or Bystroe Channel, etc.) is a proposed project by Ukraine in the Danube Delta. According to official Ukrainian plans as of 2004, it should be completed in 2008. The intent is to provide a deep-water route from the Danube to the Black Sea under Ukrainian control, in order to reduce their ship transit costs. Ecologists have been raised significant concerns about damage to the Danube Delta ecosystem. [1] (http://www.vinatorul.ro/community/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=186) After the apparent failure of diplomatic efforts, the government of Romania, where most of the Danube Delta lies, is reportedly considering building a 20km canal that would absorb the Danube's water upstream of Ukraine's small piece of the river, in order to render the planned Bastroe Channel useless and thereby discourage Ukraine from attempting such a project. The Romanian canal would be designed so that it could be shut at any time, returning the river more or less to its current state. [2] (http://www.pressreview.ro/articol.php?a=600&s=2&ss=-1)
The official inauguration of the project was scheduled for Ukrainian Independence Day August 24, 2004 but was postponed until August 26. On August 24, around 140 non-profit organisations and trade unions submitted an open letter at the Ukrainian embassy in Bucharest, Romania saying the project may endanger more than 280 birdspecies and 45 freshwaterfish species living in the delta. "If Ukraine goes ahead with its plan ... the delta will become a fetid swamp," said a statement by one of the unions. [3] (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L24539357.htm) On August 26 Ukraine officially inaugurated the project and the Romanian government announced plans to bring a lawsuit against Ukraine at the Hague-based International Court of Justice, invoking the Ramsar Convention on wetlands. [4] (http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/L26420789.htm)
The gorge lies between Romania in the north and Serbia in the south.
Since the Swabian Alb is largely shaped of porous limestone, and since the Rhine's level is much lower than the Danube's, today subsurface rivers carry much water from the Danube to the Rhine.
On many days in the summer, when the Danube carries little water, it completely oozes away noisily into these underground channels at two locations in the Swabian Alp, which are referred to as the Donauversickerung (Danube Sink).
It is 71 km (45 miles) away by boat from the almost as old settlement of Sulina at the other end of the Sulina channel and cruises between the two give passengers a panoramic view of wildlife and villages from comfortable observation decks.
The lakes, channels and estuaries of the vast Danube Delta in Romania are a paradise for anglers.
The Delta is an interesting destination for the most seasoned angler as it is for the relative novice and with options to fish from land and boats.
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