Problems Associated with Assessing the Statu, of Populations of Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeons in the Southeastern United States

摘要

The anadromous Atlantic (Acipenser oxy-rinchus oxyrinchus) and shortnose (A. breviro' strum) sturgeons inhabit coastal rivers along the East Coast from southern Canada to northern Florida. The latter species is listed as endangered in the United States, and the former is presently being considered for listing and is under a complete fishing moratorium in the United States. Most stocks (i.e., inhabitants of a particular river) of both species appear to be depleted or extirpated. Federal and state management agencies (and other groups such as hydropower companies and environmental organizations) often request updates on the status of either the species or of single stocks. Providing this information for the southeastern United States has been problematic for several reasons. The intent here is to briefly describe the challenges to acquiring quantitative status information for this region and to invite advice/collaboration on these issues from fisheries biologists and from others outside that field.