Sturgeon are in decline, we run a monitoring program, you can help.
We initiated the coast-wide sturgeon tagging program in 1992. Both species of sturgeon, Atlantic and shortnose, are tagged by state, federal and university partners. Tagging and recapture data are provided to our office. Externally tagged sturgeon, caught while fishing are reported to us via a toll-free phone number. The database that we maintain as part of the cooperative tagging program, includes data about movement, growth, mortality, and distribution of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon. This biological information assists researchers and managers in determining the coast-wide status and making management decisions for these species.
If you catch a tagged Atlantic or shortnose sturgeon, call 1-800-448-8322 to report information about the capture, including the tag number, length, date, location and method of capture.
Atlantic sturgeon
- Atlantic sturgeon is among the oldest fish species living on earth dating back at least 70 million years.
- The oldest Atlantic sturgeon was estimated to be around 60 years of age. The largest was recorded at over 800 pounds and 14 feet in length.
- They spend most of their lives in saltwater and enter freshwater to spawn.
- They are a long lived fish which spawn infrequently.
- First spawning occurs between 5 and 30 years of age and subsequent spawning can occur every 2 to 6 years.
Shortnose sturgeon
- They spend most of their lives in larger rivers along the coast and rarely venture into the Atlantic ocean.
- Shortnose sturgeon spawn on average only once every 2 to 5 years.
- Shortnose sturgeon grow up to 4 feet in length and 25 pounds.
Causes of Decline
Populations of both species have declined over the years for various reasons, including; overfishing, poor water quality and dammed rivers blocking fish from their spawning areas. While conditions have improved, their generation times are long and it may take many years for populations to rebound.
Atlantic sturgeon live in rivers and coastal waters from Canada to Florida but populations have declined over the past century. The commercial fishery was closed in 1998. In 2012, four populations were listed as endangered and one population was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act. Shortnose sturgeon have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act (and its predecessor, the Endangered Species Preservation Act of 1966) since 1967.
