Sturgeon research activities on Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) and other species by the Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center of the US Geological Survey (AFRC/ USGS)
1. Comparison of ontogenetic dispersal and behaviour patterns of early life intervals in sturgeon species worldwide.
Year-class strength is established in early in life of sturgeon populations, yet little is known about dispersal or behaviour, particulary habitat selection, during the initial 60 days of life.
Objectives: Development of a conceptual model of early behaviour by research on on ontogenetic behaviour among sturgeon species world-wide; Comparison among species and habitats (rivers) to understand dispersal and behavioural adaptations.
Intraspecific (in particular latitudinal) variation in ontogenetic behaviours are currently studied in Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens), Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) and Atlantic Sturgeon (A. oxyrinchus oxyrinchus). The ARFC has studied nine species on three continents and published results in the journal Environmental Biology of Fishes. Support was granted by US and Chinese federal agencies. Presently, the group collaborates with the Danube Delta Research Institute, a Romanian federal agency, in research on the sturgeon species occurring in the Danube area. The studies will continue until at least 2008.
2. Long-term investigation of environmental factors affecting spawning success of Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum).
Insight into the environmental factors affecting spawning success is critical to the understanding of populations, as for each new generation of sturgeon life starts at spawning. Thus far, no long-term studies of spawning success have ever been carried out for any sturgeon population.
Objectives: Research on spawning success in relation to river discharge and temperature in Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon at one spawning site for a minimum period of 20 years;. Construction of a conceptual model of spawning that incorporates the acceptable spawning window for photoperiod, water temperature, and river discharge; Utilisation of this model to predict spawning success for the past 50 years.
Data have been collected for 14 years and a preliminary model was produced. Initial results will be ready for publication in the American Fisheries Society monograph on the Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon in 2005. This study is supported by the Conte Laboratory (USGS).
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| An adult male Connecticut River shortnose sturgeon. Picture by Boyd Kynard. |
3. Development of an upstream fish ladder for passing sturgeon and other riverine fishes.
The history of upstream fish passage for sturgeons indicates poor success. However, no research on sturgeon behaviour has ever provided guidance for fish passage.
Objectives: The AFRC has conducted tests to better understand the behaviour of Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in basic structure-flow environments and determined which configuration was most successful for sturgeon passage. Consequently, this information was used to design and build a full-scale prototype and test the passage success of Lake Sturgeon and Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum).
All major tests were completed in 2002, but additional tests continue in 2005 with Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) and Pallid Sturgeon (Scaphirynchus albus) to evaluate the role female pheromone has in attracting males to pass the upstream fish ladder. The study was funded by the Great Lakes Foundation (Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin) to which a report was submitted in 2002.
4. Development of an artificial stream spawning system to produce young sturgeons for conservation stocking and to study mating and survival of early life stages.
Objectives: Application of information on spawning timing and innate spawning habitat preferences for water velocity, substrate and water depth in wild Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) to create an artificial spawning environment in an oval endless stream; Release of both sexes in the stream in order to study spawning behaviour, mate selection, egg deposition, and rearing -survival of early life stages.
Adults have spawned in the system for three years, producing as many as 7,000 semi-natural larvae. All objectives have been met and results were included in a chapter for the forthcoming American Fisheries Society monograph on the Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon. This study is supported by the Conte Laboratory (USGS).
More information on the Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon: www.fws.gov/r5crc/Fish/zf_acbr.html
5. Impact assessment of the Holyoke Dam on migration, survival during downstream passage and population structure in Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum).
Objectives: Long-term investigation (14 years) of study migration patterns of sturgeons upstream and downstream of the dam to determine if they are biologically separate or only two components of one population segmented by the dam; Determination of mortality in radio-tagged adults during passage of the dam; Characterisation of size and growth of upstream and downstream groups.
The study is in response to information needed by the dam owner and fisheries agencies on sturgeon conservation and has been supported by the owners of the dam, state and federal agencies and the Conte Laboratory (USGS). Results were included in a chapter for the forthcoming American Fisheries Society monograph on the Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon.
6. Development of a downstream bypass system for Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) at Holyoke Dam.
There is no protection for downstream migrant sturgeons that must pass a dam. Yet, in potomadromous, amphidromous and anadromous populations protection is critical in prevention of loss of fish in turbines during downsteam passage. The absence of this technology and protection also greatly hampers agencies in advocating for upstream passage at dams. The
Connecticut River Shortnose Sturgeon population is segmented by a dam and through their natural migration patterns, many yearlings and adults are killed annually when they migrate downstream past the dam.
Objectives: Determination of swimming depth of migrants; Behavioural study of yearling - adult life intervals at a bar rack barrier and various configurations of a bypass entrance; Application of the results to design and test a prototype bypass system for Shortnose Sturgeon.
This study started in 2004 and will continue through 2005 and possibly beyond and is financially supported by the owner of the dam as part of the re-licensing process with fisheries agencies.
7. Status of Shortnose Sturgeon (A. brevirostrum) in the Potomac River.
Scientific documentation of the Shortnose Sturgeon population in the Potomac river is currently lacking. However, recent captures of adults in the lower river have shown that it is crucial to determine the status of the species in the river.
Objectives: Research to determine if Shortnose Sturgeon spawns in the river and if spawning habitat for the species exists in the river.
This project started in 2004. It was found that no spawning likely occurred, although spawning habitat is present. The study continues through 2006 during which efforts will be made to capture early life intervals and capture and radio-tag adults.
Link to Publication on sampling protocols for Shortnose Sturgeon (for NMFS):
Contact for all projects:
Boyd Kynard
Conte AFRC (USGS)
Box 796 , One Migratory Way
Turners Falls , MA 01376
Ph: 413-863-3807
Fax: 413-863-9810
Next page > Population Genetics of Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon, Collaboration with Laboratory of Isaac Wirgin, New York University School of Environmental Medicine
