Abstract. Without the sustainable utilization of the natural resources in the Danube Delta, the ecological support endorsing the activities determined by these resources fails irreversibly, jeopardizing even their running. This paper introduces a model of sustainable utilization of the fishing resources in the Danube Delta after the author`s prior diagnosis and presentation of the ownership evolution (fishing rights) for this resource. The paper also covers the mechanisms of the proper management that might be used by the authorities to reach the targets of sustainable utilization of the fishing resources in the Danube Delta. The legal and institutional terms on the sustainable harnessing of the fishing resource as well as further conclusions and suggestions on the state of the stocks and exploitation of the fishing resources in 2005-2006 are also included of this paper.

Keywords: sustainable development; sustainable utilization; sustainable allowable catches; catches evolution; fisheries effort evolution; assessment methods; making the habitat eutrophye; fishing rights; fishing license.