What does the sturgeon conservation status look like in 2024? It varies on the geographical region, sturgeon species, and their subpopulations. Some sturgeon species are at higher risk of extinction than others due to various factors, like government regulations, climate change, overfishing, and pollution. 

While we can’t list every sturgeon conservation group and effort as many exist, here are the most recent and significant changes. 

Crucial Sturgeon Conservation Status Metrics & Measures to Know in 2024

Various legal and non-profit measures are in place to conserve sturgeon globally, including:

• Banned fishing and harvesting locations in critically endangered habitats
• International cooperation in water border protection in high-risk habitats
• Volunteer groups lobbying for additional legislation to protect sturgeon and clean wild habitats

Although sturgeon conservation is making meaningful changes, like increasing population sizes and restoring wild habitats, more must be done. Threats still remain imminent, such as poaching in banned fishing locations, channelization disrupting migration/spawning routes, and unsustainable sturgeon caviar farm practices. 

Learn more about the current sturgeon conservation status, progress, and impacts on current populations. 

All Remaining Sturgeon Species Risk Extinction

According to the World Wildlife Foundation (WWF), sturgeon fish are the most endangered species group in the world, with all remaining species at risk of extinction, regardless of their conservation status. 

While some subpopulations and regions differ in endangerment risks, we must remain vigilant in monitoring and improving sturgeon conservation efforts to prevent them from extinction. 

Below is a sturgeon endangered species list with each of their conversation statuses. 

STURGEON SPECIES	STURGEON CONSERVATION STATUS
Alabama Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Adriatic Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Increasing
Amur Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Atlantic Sturgeon	Vulnerable & Population Increasing
Amu Darya  Shovelnose Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Beluga Sturgeon (Huso Huso)	Critically Endangered, Extinct in the Adriatic,  & Population Decreasing
Chinese Paddlefish	Extinct
Chinese Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Danube (Russian) Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
European Atlantic Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Green Sturgeon	Endangered & Unknown Population Growth
Gulf Sturgeon	Vulnerable & Population Decreasing
Kaluga Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Lake Sturgeon	Stable to Vulnerable Geographical Regions/Population Growths
Paddlefish	Vulnerable to Extinct Geographical Regions/Population Growths
Pallid Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Persian Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Sakhalin Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Ship Sturgeon	Critically Endangered, Regional Extinction in the Dabune,
Shortnose Sturgeon	Vulnerable & Stable Population
Shovelnose Sturgeon	Vulnerable & Stable Population
Siberian Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Stellate Sturgeon	Critically Endangered & Population Decreasing
Sterlet	Endangered & Population Decreasing
Syr Darya Shovelnose Sturgeon	Critically Endangered (Possibly Extinct) & Population Decreasing
White Sturgeon	Stable to Critically Endangered Subpopulations/Population Growths
Yangtze Sturgeon	Extinct in the Wild & Unknown Population Growth

North American Lake Surgeon Recently Remain Off the Endangered List

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) recently decided lake sturgeon can remain off the endangered species list due to steady population growth from conservation. Lake sturgeon are categorized as Stable with various recovery and regulation protections demonstrating that most populations are increasing. 

However, the WWF states this species has a history of rapid population declines, with adult sturgeon at an all-time low. Therefore, lake sturgeon populations must be carefully monitored to prevent an endangered status. 

The majority of lake sturgeon habitats are in North America, with progressing sturgeon conservation efforts. The U.S. and Canada’s northern water borders have heavily regulated sports fisheries. Canada also monitors and manages their smaller commercial fisheries in the Ontario and Quebec provinces. 

Missouri Department of Conservation Makes Promising Restock Measures Lake & Pallid Sturgeon

Lake sturgeon located in the Mississippi River and Gulf of Mexico regions are considered Vulnerable due to a lack of population management, restoration, and water development. 

The WWF states lake sturgeon stock output levels are stable with extensive migrations reported, but population sizes are still small compared to the late 1800s. White sturgeon fishing is also banned in this region from irreversible habitat degradation. 

We remain hopeful for this species region group because the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) shows promising restock measures with cultured fish for lake and pallid sturgeon. MDC restocked more than 200 federally endangered pallid sturgeon and restocked 6,000 to 10,000 juvenile lake sturgeon annually. 

However, the MDC program must be consistently tracked as the IUCN states pallid sturgeon are critically endangered, with population trends decreasing. 

California Reduces North American West Coast White Sturgeon Harvests

The State of California is strengthening conservation regulations for North American West Coast white sturgeon by reducing harvesting thresholds for the 2023 to 2024 fishing season. 

California currently considers white sturgeon a species of Special Concern, even though they’re categorized as Stable by the IUCN. Catch and release fishing is still legally allowed with a valid sturgeon report card per their state regulations. 

However, white sturgeon subpopulations have varying degrees of conservation statuses per the WWF:

• North American West Coast: Stable
• Nechako River: 50% extinction risk in 20-30 years if current population decline rates continue—Critically Endangered
• Upper Columbian River: Shows significant signs of recruitment and recruitment failure—Critically Endangered
• Upper Fraser River: No more than 250 adults remaining with a restricted population range—Endangered 
• Fraser Regional: Rapid population decline Since the 1980s—Vulnerable

Oregon & Washington Stops Fishing Recommendations for White Sturgeon in the Lower Columbia River

The states of Oregon and Washington recently stopped recommending recreational and commercial fishing white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River. They enacted this caution due to the low juvenile survival and recruitment rates. They still allow catch-and-release fishing. 

Sturgeon Conservation Status FAQs

Are Sturgeon On the Endangered Species List? 

Not all sturgeon species are classified as Endangered. Some regions and subpopulations range from Stable to Critically Endangered and Extinct. 

How Many Sturgeon Are Left in the World?

Only 26 remaining sturgeon species (two-thirds) currently exist, as one-third are extinct. 

Why Are Sturgeon Endangered?

While endangered statuses differ for various sturgeon species, regions, and subpopulations, they all face the risk of extinction. Reasons include climate change, overharvesting, illegal fishing, pollution, and disruptive water developments like hydropower dams. 

Strengthen the Current Sturgeon Conservation Status with SIAA

While most population growth trends are decreasing, there’s still time to save this vital fish species and revitalize sturgeon population sizes. 

At SIAA, our causes include modernizing the Endangered Species Act to strengthen existing sturgeon conservation regulations. The FWS currently doesn’t categorize captive and wild sturgeon populations separately, resulting in inaccurate endangerment statuses and how commercialization legally harvests them—including high-risk habitats.

And anyone can become involved to make a difference. Your support helps our critical initiatives to protect sturgeon and aquatic ecosystems effectively. Our mission is to promote stronger caviar industry sustainability and sturgeon conservation globally.

Let’s safeguard the sturgeon together. Become an SIAA member or donate today.