Sulina is now facing a drastic decrease of the population, process initiated together with C.E.D. s dissolution in 1937 and the following relocation of the new Lower Danube Administration in Galati. A great number of residents (Greek, Turk, Austrian, British etc.) depending one way or another from C.E.D. chose to be repatriated. As a result the cosmopolite life of Sulina gradually ceased to exist. This is easily proved nowadays by the poor state of conservation of different built heritage belonging to these former ethnic communities like the Greek and Roman Catholic churches and schools, or even the former Orthodox Church.

This process is doubled by a similar one of loosing traditional occupations. Although fishing remains the main occupation of the inhabitants of the Delta, the number of traditional fisheries and net and boat repair workshops is diminishing. A paradox remains the absence of a fish marketplace in Sulina.

The unemployment induced by economic transformation after the 90’s is determining young generations to migrate to bigger towns. Former local industries of the 70’s and 80’s like reed exploitation, fish can industry or even a nail polish factory based on sea shells, were step by step closed and their buildings are now abandoned.

The main activities of the town are now connected with the shipyard, dredging, ship guiding, customs and guarding frontier activities. The ship traffic remains low, mainly due to factors like : development of the maritime harbor of Constanþa and the favored use for navigation of the newer Danube- Black Sea Canal (also for supplying and deliveries of the Galaþi siderurgical works as well as the relatively difficult navigation conditions on the canal due to the Rostock wreck blockage and to the low waters at the river’s mouth (7 km away in the sea) that need constant dredging and guiding.

Projects of potential negative impact on the territory, are to be considered, such as the project of the Bâstroe Ukrainian Navigation Canal on the Chilia northern branch of the Danube which will certainly change the hydrological balance of the wetlands of the delta and, also, some urban development plans, leaded by the local authorities, that are encouraging road construction or intensive housing for tourism with no very clear concern regarding built heritage preservation.

Within this context, integrated tourism may represent the solution for the economic revival of the area, using as resources natural areas preservation, safeguarding traditions and vernacular, urban, industrial or immaterial heritage conservation.