Sturgeon Restoration

Atlantic sturgeon were an important species targeted by early settlers in the Chesapeake Bay (Hildebrand and Schroeder 1928). Landings were reported to be 300,000-400,000 kg (136,000-181,000 lbs.) annually in the 1890's. High exploitation rates, degraded water quality and the building of stream blockages reduced the population. By 1928, Atlantic sturgeon were rarely caught north of the Potomac River (Merritt 1992). Maryland closed the fishery for sturgeon in 1996. There have been no young of year Atlantic sturgeon caught in Maryland's juvenile finfish survey for the past 45 years (Speir and O'Connell 1996). Atlantic sturgeon are considered biologically extirpated or below minimum viable population size in the Chesapeake Bay (Secor et al. 1997).

Maryland DNR Fisheries Service Hatcheries and Finfish Restoration program conducted an experimental release of sturgeon in 1996. Approximately 3,000 juveniles were released into the Nanticoke River, a Chesapeake Bay tributary on Maryland's Eastern Shore. By offering a reward for captures, we recorded 462 first time captures of these fish (14% recapture rate) between release and 2001. Multiple recaptures were frequent, indicating excellent survival after capture in commercial gears. During this time 555 wild sturgeon were also captured in the Chesapeake Bay. These fish were primarily of immature, sub-adult migratory size (16-95", 32" average length). No wild juvenile sturgeon were captured. Since a limited release of hatchery fish produced such a large number of recaptures, it appears unlikely that any natural reproduction is occurring in Maryland. The experimental release indicates the potential for restoring Atlantic sturgeon using hatchery-based restoration.

Maryland DNR has been rearing a captive population of sturgeon since 1992. Currently we rely on Mirant Mid-Atlantic staff and facilities to culture these fish. Our long-term goal is to develop these fish into brood stock. Currently we have approximately 150 sturgeon. The largest fish are reaching a size that we expect them to be approaching sexual maturation. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) Breeding and Stocking Protocol (ASMFC SR #22) contains guidelines for jurisdictions attempting restoration. The sturgeon currently under culture are primarily the progeny of Hudson River stock collected and spawned by the US Fish & Wildlife Service Northeast Fishery Center National Fish Hatchery in Lamar, Pennsylvania. They were spawned from a limited number of adults so genetic variation is limited. The project collects wild juveniles caught in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries and trains them to take artificial feed in the hatchery. These collections will expand the genetic diversity of our captive brood stock.

The project will ultimately develop our ability to undertake restoration of Atlantic sturgeon. It will provide precise genetic information about our captive population that will be used to satisfy ASMFC guidelines for Atlantic sturgeon restoration. These data will also contribute to the database of genetic information on the east coast population of sturgeon stocks. Once the captive brood reach sexual maturity, juvenile sturgeon will be cultured, marked and stocked in target tributaries. A comprehensive assessment survey will be conducted to qualify and quantify the progress of the restoration effort.

Helpful Links:

• Atlantic Sturgeon Identification
• Progress Report for U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service State Wildlife Grant Funding, T-3-1 Atlantic Sturgeon Report
• Tag Return Information
• DNR Article: Atlantic Sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus, in Chesapeake Bay. What the Maryland Department of Natural Resources is doing to combat a dwindling population.

Inquiries for matters relating to Hatcheries and Finfish Restoration can be directed to Brian Richardson at (410) 643-6788 or E-mail Brian here.