Shortnose Sturgeon Recovery Program
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Outreach
Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon can be found in major rivers, estuaries, bays and coastal waters along the eastern seaboard of the United States Read More . . .
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Sturgeon Workshop
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service held a three day workshop on Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon conservation Read More . . .
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Sturgeon Salvage Network
The Shortnose Sturgeon Salvage Network was formed to improve documentation of endangered shortnose sturgeon found dead in the wild Read More . . .
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Research
Current research projects on wild populations of shortnose sturgeon include Read More . . .
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Shortnose and the ESA
Shortnose sturgeon were originally listed as an endangered species by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) on March 11, 1967 Read More . . .
Shortnose sturgeon are an anadromous bony fish that are distinguishable from other fish by five rows of bony scutes along the length of their body, a protrusible mouth, and heterocercal tail. They are slow growing and late maturing and have been recorded to reach ages up to 67 years. The shortnose sturgeon is the smallest of the three sturgeon species occurring in eastern North America, and typically do not exceed lengths of 4.7 feet (1.4m). Shortnose sturgeon can be found in major rivers, estuaries, bays and coastal waters along the eastern seaboard of the United States.
Shortnose sturgeon are listed under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) as an endangered species throughout their range in the United States.
Shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum). Photo credit: UMaine
Some ESA Protections for the Endangered Shortnose Sturgeon Include:
- Fishing for, catching or keeping shortnose sturgeon as well as other forms of ‘take’ are illegal.
- Federal agencies that conduct, fund or authorize activities that may adversely affect shortnose sturgeon must consult with NOAA pursuant to section 7 of the ESA
- NOAA must periodically conduct status reviews for shortnose sturgeon
- NOAA must continue to implement recovery actions identified in a recovery plan
Further Information on Shortnose Sturgeon:
- Sturgeon Information Sheet
- ESA and Recovery
- Sturgeon Salvage Network
- Sturgeon Workshop
- Related Links
What’s New:
