Sturgeon conservation is crucial to freshwater ecosystems globally. Sturgeons are prehistoric freshwater fish that have been around since the dinosaur ages. Unfortunately, they have been experiencing a rapid population decline to the point that sturgeons are now an endangered species.
Below is an overview of sturgeons, the reasons for their possible extinction, and how you can help wildlife and aquaculture conservationists protect this vital species.
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All About The Sturgeon Fish
A sturgeon is a freshwater fish that can live up to 100 years and has been around since the dinosaurs for over 200 million years. After surviving the extinction of dinosaurs, they have remained physically unchanged and are one of the oldest and largest fish in existence.
The ancient sturgeon fish have habitats throughout the northern hemisphere, predominantly in the Ponto-Caspian region, with 11 out of 26 species left. North America, Western Europe, and Asia are also home to sturgeon habitats.
Some species of sturgeon include:
- Atlantic Sturgeon: Near threatened red list status.
- White Sturgeon: North America’s largest freshwater fish. According to the WWF, the probability of extinction is more than 50% in the next 20 to 30 years.
- Green Sturgeon: This particular sturgeon is not subject to overfishing but can quickly become threatened if conservation efforts decline.
- Shortnose Sturgeon: Populations of shortnose sturgeon decreased by 30% in the past three generations, according to WWF.
- Gulf Sturgeon: Vulnerable red list status. Fishing is illegal for this species.
Sturgeon mainly eat bottom feeders, such as plankton, invertebrates, and smaller fish. While larger species are rare today, sturgeons remain one of the largest freshwater fish, reaching up to 8 meters in length and weighing up to 1.5 tons.
Why Are Sturgeons Endangered?
As of today, two-thirds of sturgeon species are now critically endangered, and one species is completely extinct. One of the leading reasons why sturgeons are endangered is due to poaching. As part of the illegal food trade, sturgeon poaching for wildlife caviar and meat is a major threat to the species.
The estimated total population of Atlantic sturgeon left in the following habitats includes:
- St. John River, Canada: Estimated 20,798 — the most prominent location of the sturgeon population.
- Hudson River, NY: Between 310 to 745.
- Delaware River, DE: Around 181.
- York River, VA: Approximately 300.
In addition, habitat degradation, poor water quality, climate change, and unintentional commercial fishing deaths also impact why sturgeon are endangered.
What is Sturgeon Conservation?
While the current population estimates of Atlantic sturgeons may not seem life-threatening, the number of sturgeon species has declined significantly in recent years.
According to NOAA Fisheries, here’s how the population compared a few years ago to now in the following habitats:
- St. John River, Canada: From 18,000 to 21,000 adult sturgeon to an estimated total of 20,798 — commercial fisheries remove 350 sturgeon from the local population annually.
- Hudson River, NY: From 870 adults to an estimated range of 310 to 745 — a commercial fishery was closed down in 1998 to combat the declining sturgeon population.
- Delaware River, DE: Hundreds of thousands to less than 250 returning adults — this represents a 99% decline in population in the Delaware River.
- York River, VA: From 75 adults to approximately 300 — recent conservation efforts have led to a spawning population of sturgeon in this location.
- Rioni, GA: Decreased by at least 80% in the last three generations — commercial fishing is now banned in the area.
If sturgeon were to go extinct, this would be devastating to natural marine life ecosystems and certain cultures that consume sturgeon products. Additionally, sturgeon extinction would be a significant historic loss since they’re a prehistoric species. That’s why sturgeon conservation is crucial now more than ever, with declining populations and rising threats to their survival.
Here’s how sturgeon conservationists and wildlife organizations are helping to preserve this species:
- CITES labeling.
- Repopulating wild stocks through aquaculture.
- Preserving existing habitats.
- Improving existing habitats and restoring access to historical ones, such as dam removals and fish passage projects.
- Close monitoring of bycatch and stock recovery.
Federal and state governments have also been involved with sturgeon conservation efforts by banning commercial fishing in habitats with a red list status and enacting The 1973 ESA Endangered Species Act.
This legislation was passed to address the sturgeon industry, caviar purveyors, re-exporters, and sturgeon farms to focus on the conscious and efficient raising of captive-bred sturgeon. It’s meant to alleviate the pressures of wildlife ecosystems by systematically changing sustainable sturgeon farming and commerce.
Unfortunately, over the past 50 years, we still face the same concerns and must act to elevate the standards of current sturgeon conservation practices.
Why Sturgeon Must Be Protected
Sturgeons are fundamental to a healthy ecosystem. They help clean our freshwater rivers and lakes by eating decaying organisms and invasive species like zebra mussels. Additionally, they play critical roles in the food sources for certain cultures. They represent how healthy our freshwater bodies are, and without them, it can imbalance an entire ecosystem and make invasive species a more significant issue.
How You Can Help with Sturgeon Conservation
The good news is that there’s still time to preserve all types of sturgeon species with your help.
Ways that you can become involved with conserving sturgeon wildlife are:
- Volunteer with organizations to repopulate wild sturgeon stocks to ensure you’re not harming other aquatic wildlife.
- Volunteer or donate to organizations working to preserve and improve existing sturgeon habitats.
- Get involved in restoring the sturgeon’s access to historical habitats through dam removals and fish passage projects.
- Support U.S. FWS and state-run captive breeding and research programs for sturgeon.
- Donate to programs such as SIAA USA or the Sturgeon Conservation Project.
Even if you’re not in the wildlife conservation industry, anyone can join the movement to help ensure their species and existence continues.
Take the Extra Step and Become a SIAA Member
At the Sturgeon Industry Alliance of America (SIAA), our mission is to protect sustainable farming and preserve wild sturgeon populations to reduce the endangerment and possibility of extinction this species faces.
Our wildlife conservation goals are dedicated to addressing concerns and finding solutions for these issues while allowing the farmed sturgeon industry to safely and sustainably harvest in the U.S. market.
If you can’t become involved with sturgeon conservation directly, anyone can donate to help SIAA continue to fight for sturgeon and truly make a difference.
If you have questions, contact SIAA directly regarding our legislative and conservation efforts here: info@siaausa.com or call us at 910-250-9781.
