Ancient
Pallid Sturgeon Headed for Extinction
In Missouri River Basin
For Immediate Release
Contact: Ken McDonald
(406-444-7409)
Tom McMahon,
WDAFS Past-President (602-789-3268)
Review of the Recovery Program for the Endangered Pallid Sturgeon in the Upper Missouri River Basin - PDF file 244 kb
According to a report released today by the American Fisheries Society, present recovery efforts for the endangered pallid sturgeon in the upper Missouri River basin are woefully inadequate and will not prevent extinction of this species. The report, prepared by the Western Division of the AFS, calls for immediate and substantial changes in flow management practices within the upper Missouri River basin, increased efforts among state and federal agencies responsible for implementation of the recovery plan, and resolution of disease issues within remaining hatchery stock if extinction is to be prevented. The pallid sturgeon was listed as an endangered species pursuant to the Endangered Species Act in 1990 and is widely regarded as one of the most critically endangered species in the United States.
According to Ken McDonald, Chair of the Upper Basin Recovery Workgroup and biologist for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the pallid sturgeon are already “functionally extinct” with less than 300 adults surviving in the upper basin, which provides the best remaining chances for restoring the species in the wild. “We have a few old fish with little reproduction during the past 35 years” noted McDonald, adding “our best estimation is that the remaining adults will die out in another 10 years.”
Historically, the pallid sturgeon was found in major rivers such as the Yellowstone, Missouri and Mississippi, but nearly all of this former habitat has been inundated or otherwise highly altered by a series of dams and reservoirs and channelization. The earliest Montana records date back to 1876, when this species was reported to be abundant in the Missouri River at Fort Benton. Pallid sturgeon grow to more than 6 feet in length and 80 pounds and live for more than 50 years. They do not reproduce until at least 15 years of age.
Sturgeon are among the rarest and oldest of fish species. Pallid sturgeon belong to a group of fishes that lived with the dinosaurs more than 70 million years ago. It is a sad irony that pallid sturgeon have managed to survive every natural change that has occurred over this time, only to be nearly wiped out in less than 100 years by the direct effects of humans.
According to the report, most of the habitat of the pallid sturgeon has been modified by dams, flooded by massive reservoirs, channelized, and silted over. Efforts to raise this species in hatcheries for subsequent release into the wild have been plagued by disease and are relatively unsuccessful to date.
The report describes 52 recommendations for improved management, but identifies nine actions that need to be implemented immediately to prevent extinction. Although these recommendations are directed at management in the upper Missouri River basin, many apply throughout the range of the species. Among the most critical actions are:
- Immediate progress towards restoring a more natural flow regime in the Missouri River by releasing a spring pulse of water from Fort Peck Dam to stimulate natural spawning among remaining adults and aid in increasing survival of the young;
- Stronger leadership, support and funding of recovery efforts from federal agencies;
- Development of new mating protocols for hatchery broodstock; and
- Elimination of the pallid sturgeon iridovirus disease from hatcheries through improved management practices.
Copies of the report are being distributed to pertinent state and federal agencies in Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota and Montana. The report is available online at www.wdafs.org .