EPA's Vessel General Permit and Small Vessel General

Female shortnose sturgeon spawn every three to five years. Males spawn every other year,
although some may spawn in consecutive years (Dovel et al. 1992, Collins and Smith 1993,
Kieffer and Kynard 1993, NMFS 1998a). Spawning typically occurs during the spring, between
mid-March and late May. Spawning areas are often located just below the fall line at the farthest
accessible upstream reach of the river (NMFS 1998a).
Male shortnose sturgeon in southern rivers will first spawn between ages 2 and 5, while fish as
far north as the St. John River, Canada first spawn at about 10 to 11 years of age (Dadswell et al.
1984a, NMFS 1998a). Age at first spawning for female shortnose sturgeon varies from about
age 6 to 18 years, like males, varying on a latitudinal cline (Dadswell et al. 1984a, NMFS
1998a). In general, fish in the northern portion of the species’ range live longer than individuals
in the southern portion of the species’ range (Gilbert 1989). The maximum age reported for a
shortnose sturgeon in the St. John River in New Brunswick is 67 years (for a female), 40 years
for the Kennebec River, 37 years for the Hudson River, 34 years in the Connecticut River, 20
years in the Pee Dee River and 10 years in the Altamaha River (Gilbert 1989). Male shortnose
sturgeon appear to have shorter life spans than females (Gilbert 1989).
Like all sturgeon, shortnose have ventrally located, sucker-like mouths, structured for feeding on
benthos. Foraging generally occurs in areas with abundant macrophytes, where juvenile and
adult shortnose sturgeon feed on amphipods, polychaetes and gasteropods (Dadswell et al.
1984b, Moser and Ross 1995, NMFS 1998a). Sturgeon use electroreception to identify prey.
Olfaction and taste are also likely important to foraging, while vision is thought to play a minor
role (Miller 2004). As adults, a significant portion of a shortnose sturgeon’s diet may consist of
freshwater mollusks (Dadswell et al. 1984b). Based on observations by Kynard et al., (2000),
shortnose sturgeon will consume the entire mollusk, excreting the shell after ingestion.
Status and Trends
Shortnose sturgeon were listed as endangered on March 11, 1967, under the Endangered Species
Preservation Act (32 FR 4001) and remained on the endangered species list with enactment of
the ESA of 1973, as amended. Pollution and overfishing, including bycatch in the shad fishery,
were listed as principal reasons for the species' decline. Shortnose sturgeon are listed as an
endangered species throughout all of its range
Northern shortnose sturgeon population abundances are generally larger than southern
populations (Kynard 1997). Updated population estimates also suggest that three of the largest
populations (Kennebec, Hudson and Delaware River) may be increasing or stable, although data
is limited. The New York (Hudson River) shortnose sturgeon population is the largest extant
population of this species and, based on available data, appears to have increased (Bain et al.
2000). The most recent population estimate indicates this population consists of about 61,000shortnose
sturgeon (95% confidence interval [CI] was between 52,898 and 72,191 fish (Bain et
al. 2000). A comparison of the Bain estimate to the 1979/1980 population estimate of spawning
adults by Dovel et al., (1992); about 13,000 fish) led Bain et al., (2000) to conclude that the
population had made a dramatic increase (about 400% increase) between 1979 and 1997. While
still evidence of an increasing population, a comparison of total population estimates
(30,000:60,000) would suggest the population has only doubled in size during the study years.
Similarly, the Kennebec River population appears to be increasing. The most recent estimate for
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