Dramatic Double Sturgeon Discovery in Georgia
Posted on June, 15 2020
The last reported catch of ship sturgeon was in the Hungarian part of the Middle Danube in 2009.
Fauna and Flora International reports the catch of 2 young ship sturgeon, (Acipenser nudiventris) in the Rioni River in Georgia. Since the last reported catch of Ship Sturgeon was in the Hungarian part of the Middle Danube in 2009, and that there have been no documented catches in Romania for at least 30-40 years, the current assumption is that they derive from a restocking project in the Kuban River. However, if indeed they really come from natural reproduction in the Rioni, this would make a sensational discovery. Genetic analysis is pending. The IUCN status of ship sturgeons could be elevated back from "extinct in the wild.” In Europe, only the Danube and the Roni Rivers can still provide habitats to self-reproducing wild sturgeon populations. Sturgeons are the most endangered species on the planet; highly threatened by hydropower dams, poaching and bycatch.
Facts and Figures
- This sturgeon matures relatively late and lives up to 30 years.
- The Ship Sturgeon likes to live at sea, close to shores and estuaries. In freshwater it favours deep stretches of large rivers.
- The Ship Sturgeon spends at least part of its life in salt water, returning to rivers to breed, but some non-migratory freshwater populations also exist.
See full FFI article: https://www.fauna-flora.org/news/sturgeon-sensation-dramatic-double-discovery-fish-brink-extinction