Sturgeon
Common Name: Sturgeon
Scientific Name: *Acipenser sturio
Description: The European sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio), also known as the Atlantic sturgeon or common sturgeon was formerly abundant, being found in coastal habitats all over Europe. It is anadromous and breeds in rivers. It is currently listed as a critically endangered species by the IUCN.
OSPAR Regions where it occurs: II, III (The part of Region III eastwards of 5° West of the OSPAR maritime area), IV
OSPAR Regions where under threat and/or in decline: II, IV
What is the latest status of the common skate?
The status assessment describes the latest changes in distribution, abundance and range of the feature, as well as any changes in the threats and pressures impacting the feature. The status assessments are updated regularly and inform OSPAR’s consideration of the effectiveness of the measures and actions that have been adopted and implemented by Contracting Parties.
Why is this feature included on the OSPAR List? |  | |||
What protective measures and actions has OSPAR committed to taking? |  |  | ||
What actions have been implemented by OSPAR? |  | |||
Recommendation 2020/1 amending Recommendations 2011/5, 2013/4, 2013/5, 2014/1 | ||||
Key message
The status of European sturgeon is still highly critical in the OSPAR area, however a notable increase in abundance in Regions II, III, and IV due to restocking programmes in the Gironde and the Elbe river systems have been observed. A reproductive population is still non-existent but expected in the near future in the Gironde system in France. Threats, mainly from habitat alteration and bycatch in the Greater North Sea, Celtic Seas, Bay of Biscay and Iberian Coast as well as increased abundance of alien sturgeon species still pose a significant threat to this species.
For more information please visit our latest status assessment
Threats and Impacts
Bycatch is the main threat for the last remaining population. Poaching in the future potentially can have a detrimental impact upon population development (Jaric & Gessner 2013). Coastal infrastructure developments can have detrimental effects through loss of productive feeding habitats or migration obstruction.
Stability of bottom sediments and maintenance of hydrodynamic conditions providing ample opportunity for benthic invertebrates to thrive are essential prerequisites for a sufficient food base for this species. Dredging, hydro-constructions (groynes), and bottom touching fishing gear adversely affect these conditions and results in a reduction of carrying capacity.
Climate change has the potential to adversely affect the reproduction and early life phases of the species due to altered river discharge providing suboptimal attraction flow for spawning migration, untimely cues for spawning by asynchronous temperature and discharge development and elevated summer temperatures that exceed the temperature tolerance of the species (Delage et al. 2014, Lassalle et al. 2010).
Introduction of non-indigenous sturgeon species have increasingly been observed (Arndt et al. 2002, Kirschbaum et al. 2011). The potential impacts of the alien species comprise introduction of pathogens, hybridization, and competition for food (Arndt et al. 2002). In addition, the introduction and mismanagement of predators such as the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) for angling purposes increases the risk of predation of sturgeon juveniles.
For more information please visit our latest status assessment
Measures that address key pressures from human activities or conserve the species/habitat
- By national legslation the species is protected in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the UK. It is listed in the National Catalogue of Endangered Species in Spain (Rosenthal et al. 2007). The species is listed under Annex 2 and 4 of the Flora, Fauna, Habitat Directive EWG 43/92;
- France and Germany have national Action Plans in place;
- In Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Spain, The Netherlands, and the UK awareness raising activities were undertaken (FNAP 2020-2029);
- France has six MPAs designated for the European sturgeon;
- France has a monitoring programme in place (Acolas et al. 2011). Denmark, France, Germany, UK, and the Netherlands have ongoing bycatch monitoring.
- France, Germany, Spain and the Netherlands have adopted measures to minimize impacts and improve access to critical habitats.
Communication campaigns (fisheries, fisheries administration, auctions, stakeholdes) have proven to be successfull (FNAP 2020-2029) and need to be intensified spread throughout the range of the species to allow application of best practice fisheries techniques, compliance and ensure enforcement.
