BLOOMINGTON, Minn. 鈥 After conducting a thorough species status assessment using the best available science, the bet365下载ios determined lake sturgeon do not require listing under the Endangered Species Act. The Service鈥檚 12-month finding shows ongoing management efforts, such as fish stocking, have contributed to the conservation and resiliency of the species.
鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement shows the power of collaborative conservation and the impact it can have for species like the lake sturgeon,鈥 said Midwest Regional Director Will Meeks. 鈥淭he fact that we鈥檙e seeing more and more lake sturgeon populations spawning in their historical habitat is a clear sign that restoration efforts are progressing. This success is credited to many partners including states, Tribes, local organizations and others across the country coming together to conserve this species.鈥
Sturgeons have a prehistoric appearance because of their large size, shark-like tails, and bony plate-armored covering. Tracing its origins back at least 150 million years, the lake sturgeon is one of the largest freshwater fish in North America occupying rivers and lakes across the eastern and central United States and Canada.
The most widespread ongoing conservation action considered in the assessment was the stocking of captive-reared lake sturgeon. Stocking programs have led to increases in adult lake sturgeon and spawning behaviors. Although populations are not at historical levels, these successful programs have both bolstered existing populations and returned lake sturgeon to areas where they had disappeared, such as the Red River of the North, the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, the Middle Mississippi River, and the Coosa River. Other successful conservation measures include restoring habitat connectivity through dam removal, fish passages and habitat restoration.
The Service鈥檚 not-warranted 12-month finding on the petition to list the lake sturgeon under the ESA and supporting information for the decision are available today for and will publish in the on Tuesday, April 23, 2024. More information can be found at under docket number bet365下载ios-R3-ES-2024-0022.
