2007 Status Review of Atlantic sturgeon - National Marine Fisheries ...

Table of Contents
List of Tables…………………………………………………………………………….… v
List of Figures and Photos...……………………………………………………………….. vii
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations………………………………………………………. x
Executive Summary……...………………………………………………………….……... 1
1. Introduction………………………………..……………………………………………. 2
1.1. Background of the Review…………………………………………………….2
1.2. Life History…………………………………………………………………… 3
1.3. Distribution and Abundance………………………………………………….. 5
1.3.1. Historic Overview……...……………………………………………. 6
1.3.2. Recent River Specific Information………………………..………… 7
2. Consideration as Distinct Population Segment under the ESA…...……………………. 24
2.1. Distinct Population Segment Background……..……………………………… 24
2.2. DPS Determination…...……………………………………………………….. 25
2.2.1. Support for Discreteness……………..……………………………… 26
2.2.2. Support for Significance……………..……………………………… 28
3. Analysis of the ESA Listing Factors……………………………………………………. 30
3.1. The Present or Threatened Destruction, Modification, or Curtailment of
Habitat or Range………………………………………………………...…………. 30
3.1.1. Dams and Tidal Turbines.…………………………………………… 31
3.1.2. Dredging and Blasting……………..………………………………... 33
3.1.3. Water Quality…………..……………………………………………. 34
3.1.4. River Specific Habitat Information………………………………….. 38
3.1.5. Summary and Evaluation……………...…………………………….. 57
3.2. Overutilization for Commercial, Recreational, Scientific, or Educational
Purposes……………………………………………………………………………. 58
3.2.1. Directed Harvest…………………………………………………….. 59
3.2.2. Bycatch...……………………………………………………………. 61
3.2.3. Projected Impacts of Bycatch…………….…………………………. 65
3.2.4. Scientific Utilization and Recent Impacts………………...…………. 67
3.2.5. River Specific Overutilization Information………………….……… 69
3.2.6. Summary and Evaluation…………….……………………………… 76
3.3 Competition, Predation, and Disease...………………………………………… 77
3.3.1. Competition and Predation………….………………………………. 77
3.3.2. Disease….…………………………………………………………… 78
3.3.3. Summary and Evaluation………….………………………………… 81
3.4 Existing Regulatory Authorities, Laws and Policies and Their Adequacy to
Protect Atlantic Sturgeon…..………………………………………………………. 82
3.4.1. International Authorities…………………………………………….. 82
3.4.2. U.S. Interstate/Federal Authorities………………………………….. 83
3.4.3. State Authorities………...……………………………………………88
3.4.4. Summary and Evaluation……………...…………………………….. 89
3.5 Other Natural or Manmade Factors Affecting Continued Existence...………… 90
3.5.1. Impingement and Entrainment………………...…………………….. 90
3.5.2. Ship Strikes……..…………………………………………………… 91
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