Editing Danube Delta (section)

== Environmental issues ==
{{citations needed|section|date=August 2018}}

Large-scale works began in the Danube Delta as early as the second half of the 19th century.<ref>Iordachi, Constantin, Van Assche, Kristof (2014) The Bio-Politics of the Danube Delta. [https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780739195154 Lexington Books] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150410184124/https://rowman.com/ISBN/9780739195154 |date=2015-04-10 }}. {{ISBN|978-0-7391-9514-7 }}</ref> First corrections of the Sulina arm began in 1862, and they continued throughout the 20th century. As a result, the length of the Sulina arm was reduced from 92 to 64&nbsp;km, and its flow more than doubled, thus making it suitable for large-vessel navigation. Correcting the six large [[meanders]] on its course thereby reduced the length of the Sfântu Gheorghe branch from 108 to 70km, and its flow also increased somewhat. Both these increases were made to the detriment of the Chilia arm, which at present remains the most unspoiled arm of the main three. These corrections, as well as the digging of various secondary channels throughout the body of the delta, have had a serious impact on the ecosystem. Natural environments have been altered, the breeding pattern of fish has been disrupted, and the flows in the main arms have increased, with serious consequences regarding the discharge of [[alluvia]] and the erosion of banks.

Reed was intensively harvested during the [[Communist]] era. The regime had plans to transform the delta into a large agro-industrial zone. Although the first modern agricultural exploitation dates from 1939 (Ostrovul Tãtaru), only after 1960 were large areas drained and converted, to the detriment of the wetlands. In 1991, agricultural land in the delta surpassed 100,000 hectares, and more than a third of its surface has been affected by crop cultivation, [[forest plantation]], or [[pisciculture]] (fish farming). As a result of these changes, along with the increasing pollution and [[eutrophication]] of the waters of the Danube, and decades of exploitation and poor fishing regulations, the fish population has been visibly reduced.

In 2004, Ukraine inaugurated work on the [[Bistroe Channel]] that would provide an additional navigable link from the Black Sea to the populous Ukrainian section of the Danube Delta. However, because of the negative impact which this new channel might have on the fragile ecosystem of the delta, the [[European Union]] advised Ukraine to shut down the works. Romanian officials threatened to sue Ukraine at the [[International Court of Justice]]. Under the presidency of [[Kuchma]], Ukraine had responded that Romania was only afraid of the competition that the new channel would bring, and continued working on the channel. Under the presidency of [[Yuschenko]], who visited Romania in 2005, both sides agree that professionals should decide the fate of the channel. In the long run, Ukraine plans to build a navigation channel, if not through Bistroe Channel, then through another channel.