ATLANTIC STURGEON

Historically, Atlantic sturgeon ranged from Labrador, Canada to Florida, U.S., and inhabited most major river systems along the Atlantic coast. From the late 1800s to early 1900s, their populations declined progressively, primarily as a result of unregulated commercial fishing.  A staggering seven million pounds of Atlantic sturgeon had been harvested by commercial fishermen as per commercial landing records of 1890.  By 1920, the numbers dropped dramatically to only 22,000 pounds.  Heavy fishing pressure, late reproductive maturity, and the prolonged spawning periodicity of Atlantic sturgeon proved to be a fatal combination for successful recovery of the species to sustainable populations.  Regulated fishing, and restocking programs were inevitable. Other significant impacts which led to the Atlantic sturgeon's critical status and eventual extirpation in parts of their historic range include the construction of dams which blocked spawning migration, loss of habitat as a result of human encroachment, and water pollution.  Today, all that remains of the once abundant Atlantic sturgeon are remnant populations in some of the larger rivers along the Atlantic coast.

CHARACTERISTICS.....

• Sturgeons don't have scales, rather their bodies are armored with several rows of bony plates called scutes.
• Their bodies are torpedo shaped, and their head slopes down.
• They have a heterocercal tail much like that of sharks.
• Their skeleton is almost entirely cartilaginous.
• They have four large barbels that dangle just in front of the mouth, and serve as sensory organs.
• They have a rubbery siphon-like mouth on the underside of the head.
• Sturgeons are opportunistic bottom feeders with a diet that consists primarily of worms, crustaceans, insect larvae, small fish, and mollusks.

SPAWNING BEHAVIOR:

• Atlantic sturgeon are slow growing and late maturing.  Males are smaller than females at sexual maturity, and average 5 ft (1.5 m) in length, and weigh 90 lbs. (41 kg) while females average 6 ft. (1.8 m) in length and weigh 150 lbs. (68 kg).  They can grow to be as long as 14 ft. (4.26 m) and weigh as much as 600 lbs. (272 kg).
• Atlantic sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they spend most of their life at sea, and migrate up river in the spring to spawn. Populations are river specific in that adults return to their natal river to spawn.
• Females do not spawn every year.  They may spawn only once over a 2-6 year period, and will produce up to 2 million eggs in a single season.

Mike Hendrix, Director of the Northeast Fisheries Center in Lamar Pennsyvania for the USF&WS said the following about their restoration and restocking program:

Our role in the restoration of Atlantic sturgeon is to develop culture techniques of this species so that that information can be rotated out to other field stations to produce these fish in captivity if it’s necessary to do a stocking program.  A stocking program would be the last alternative that we use to restore a species.  We want to use regulation and habitat improvement to try restore species before we start enhancment stocking.  But in some cases populations are so low and so depleted that we do have to use a stocking program to build them back."

See the Jerre Mohler-Boyd Kynard-Brian Dickson Interviews at the Sturgeon Gallery for important information about using hatchery raised stocks for restocking programs.

Mark Bain's interview re: "Atlantic Sturgeon in the Hudson River" is available for viewing at the Sturgeon Gallery under the title "Atlantic Sturgeon with Mark Bain"

GULF STURGEON (sub-species)
Acipenser oxyrinchus desotoi

Gulf sturgeon and Atlantic sturgeon are of the same genus, and look very similar in appearance, however, there are a few distinguishable differences; the most obvious being geographical. It is believed the emergence of the Florida peninsula well over a million years ago separated the two species. The separation was then maintained by the thermal barrier of the Gulf stream around south Florida. 

Gulf sturgeon are found within river drainages between eastern Louisiana, and northwestern Florida, and occasionally as far south as Tampa Bay, while Atlantic sturgeon range from Labrador to eastern Florida on the Atlantic seaboard.  The Suwannee River in Florida supports the largest and most viable population of Gulf sturgeon in coastal rivers along the Gulf of Mexico. It is one of the few undammed rivers that flows directly into the Gulf, and remains relatively unaltered and unpolluted.  They will also leap several feet into the air while in the rivers which may create a boating hazard.  Video footage of such a leap can be seen on the documentary, "The Gulf Sturgeon" which is available for viewing on the EarthwaveSociety Channel at YouTube, and also available on DVD at our DVD Gallery - click link in the right margin.

Gulf sturgeon are further distinguished from their Atlantic counterparts by their squarish dorsal scutes, longer head and pectoral fins, and notably longer spleen. DNA studies have defined genetic differences as well, and further identified five river-specific population groups of Gulf sturgeon which are maintained by strong homing instincts. DNA information is utilized in management efforts as an aid to preserve genetic integrity. 

Sturgeons have certain characteristics which vary slightly from species to species.  They have a heterocercal tail much like that of sharks, and a skeleton

composed almost entirely of cartilage rather than bone.  They have a torpedo shaped body which helps them glide effortlessly through the water….four large barbels that dangle just in front of the mouth, and serve as sensory organs…..and a rubbery, siphon-like mouth that acts like a vacuum for these opportunistic bottom feeders.

Sturgeons don't have scales, rather their bodies are armored with several lengthwise rows of bony plates called scutes.  Scutes are thought to have been used by ancient peoples, and Native Americans for tools and ornamentation.  The scutes of young Gulf sturgeon have sharp points which helps discourage predation.  As the fish matures, the points wear down to a more rounded surface that is hard and durable.  Adult sturgeons have no known predators, other than man. 

Gulf sturgeon are one of the largest species of fish that inhabit both fresh and salt water.  They can grow over 9 feet in length, and weigh more than 300 lbs., although fish that size are rare. Young sturgeons grow rapidly during the first few years of life, but the growth rate slows as they mature.  They are long lived, and typically reach ages well over 40 years.

Gulf sturgeon are anadromous, which means they migrate from saltwater into freshwater rivers to spawn.  Juveniles and adults participate in the yearly migration which begins in February or March.  They remain in the rivers throughout the summer, and return to saltwater in the fall.  The reason for this behavior remains a mystery.

For the classroom, "The Gulf Sturgeon" is available on DVD in our DVD Gallery.  It can also be viewed online at the Earthwave Society Channel on YouTube.