 |
| Fig. 1 The Beluga Sturgeon (Huso Huso)
Description & Ecology
The Beluga Sturgeon, often called the European Sturgeon, is an intriguing and unique fish that belongs to the "Acipenseridae" family. Their distinct features include their lack of scales and long bodies. They are also known for their great size and can often range from 7 to 12 feet long. Some have even been reported as weighing up to 7,200 pounds!No wonder they are the largest freshwater fish in the world. Perhaps their most interesting characteristic is that they are known as a "living fossil". This is because they appeared in fossils from around 200 million years ago and are still alive today.
|
 |
| Fig.2 |
Instead of scales, they have bony plates called scutes. These protect the sturgeon in an armor like manner.
|
 |
| Fig. 3 |
These creatures might look threatening, but don't be fooled. They don't have any teeth and rely on their stomach muscles to crush their meals. The sturgeon are big fans of protein and prey on baby seals, gobies, carp, herring, and crayfish.
Geographic & Population Changes
 |
| Fig. 4 |
The Beluga Sturgeon has been found in the waters of the Caspian, Black, Azov, and Adriatic Seas. However, the Beluga Sturgeon has since been extirpated in the Azov and Adriatic Seas due to overexploitation and fishing. The sturgeon's native population resides in the water of the Caspian and Black seas and can be found in the surrounding rivers such as the Volga and Danube. The map displays their previous populations (prior to extinction) and current (extant) populations.
Unfortunately there has been a 93% decline in populations from 1993 to 2007. In 1938 their population was abundant but the major decline occurred in 1990 and has continued to the present day. The past 60 years have brought a 90% decline to the overall population. In the Caspian Sea, between 1945 and 1955, an average of 1380 tonnes were caught. Between 1986 and 1995, 506 tonnes were caught. And most recently, between 1996 and 2003, only 60 tonnes were caught. This trend shows a 95% decline in their overall population. Currently, their survival depends on hatchery breeding on the Volga River.
Listing Date & Type of Listing
The Beluga Sturgeon was originally listed as endangered in 1996 on CITES Appendix II, which contains species that are not currently threatened but may become threatened if their trade is not controlled. In 2010, it was updated to critically endangered and is currently listed on the CITES Appendix I, meaning that they are a most endangered species.Cause of Listing & Main Threats
It is amazing that the sturgeon species has been able to survive for millions of years. Humans are their only predator, and with the rise of overfishing and poaching, their populations have been rapidly declining. One of the causes of the listing has been due to the overfishing for meat and caviar. Caviar is a delicacy, consisting of pickled roe which are the eggs found in female sturgeon. The Beluga Sturgeon has the most expensive and sought after caviar, which have been called "black pearls". Their caviar can cost up to $8,000 per kilogram. The illegal trade and poaching of the sturgeon is thought to be 10 to 12 times over the legal catch limit. Check out this video explaining why caviar is so expensive. |
| Fig. 5 |
 |
| Fig. 6 |
 |
| Fig. 7 |
Even if environmental conditions improved, it is still thought that the sturgeon would suffer from the Allee effect. This is because their current population is so low and it it thought that the female sturgeon only reproduced two to three times per decade. A lack of mature fish combined with already low populations ill make it extremely difficult to improve their population.
Description of Recovery Plan
 |
| Fig. 8 |
The second component is aimed at restoring and protecting their habitats. Improving the water quality is a key component of the species' wellbeing.
 |
| Fig. 9 |
the fourth and final component deals with the international relations and intergovernmental cooperation. This component suggests creating a group consisting of governmental agencies to implement the action plan.
To view the full action plan, click the link.
What Can You Do?
This incredible species that once swam with dinosaurs millions of years ago will soon be extinct if we fail to act now. You can help the species by not buying caviar from wild Beluga Sturgeon. If you are looking for sturgeon caviar or meat, make sure to buy it from a reputable sturgeon farm. Farmed sturgeon caviar is just as good as wild sturgeon caviar. Don't believe it? Just watch this video of Gordon Ramsay tasting farmed caviar. By decreasing a demand for the wild sturgeon, you will be able to decrease illegal poaching and over harvesting.
You can also support WWF which is working to promote sustainable management of the species. WWF is also working to restore and protect their habitat. To support their cause, donate here: http://wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/sturgeon/
The next best thing to do is raise public awareness for this species. Nearly everyone has heard of caviar, but not many know that the creator of this delicacy is nearing extinction.
Rescources
To learn more about the Beluga Sturgeon, check out some of the links listed below!
Works Cited
“Action Plan for the Conservation and Restoration of the European Sturgeon.” WWF, www.bing.com/cr?IG=397D0626EFCA4CC19CA914B4FB940F82&CID=1F9BA1C6AA406D7902D5AA6EABEF6CB9&rd=1&h=1AfE7klHLfCmFHJ0soVxkp1c8qwPTfQN9fk22GN0tag&v=1&r=http%3a%2f%2fawsassets.panda.org%2fdownloads%2f6_20yy_action_plan_a_sturio_eu_1.pdf&p=DevEx,5040.1.
“The CITES Appendices.” The CITES Appendices | CITES, www.cites.org/eng/app/index.php.
“Huso Huso .” Huso Huso (Beluga, European Sturgeon, Giant Sturgeon, Great Sturgeon), www.iucnredlist.org/details/summary/10269/0.
“Sturgeon.” WWF, wwf.panda.org/what_we_do/endangered_species/sturgeon/.
Fig. 3: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?311090/WWF-launches-last-ditch-effort-to-save-worlds-wild-sturgeons
Fig. 5: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?311090/WWF-launches-last-ditch-effort-to-save-worlds-wild-sturgeons
Fig 6: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?311090/WWF-launches-last-ditch-effort-to-save-worlds-wild-sturgeons
Fig. 7: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?311090/WWF-launches-last-ditch-effort-to-save-worlds-wild-sturgeons
Fig. 8: http://www.nbcnews.com/id/4788282/ns/us_news-environment/t/us-listing-beluga-sturgeon-threatened/
Fig. 9: http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?311090/WWF-launches-last-ditch-effort-to-save-worlds-wild-sturgeons
I had never head of this species, so it was interesting to learn that they are the largest freshwater fish on Earth. While reading this blog, I was also shocked to learn that its population declined by 95%, and that their best hope os through captive breeding. I think this animal is definitely worth saving because it would be a shame to lose the largest freshwater fish in existence. It’s interesting how dramatically humans alone have impacted this animal’s population, considering that humans are its only predator. I didn’t realize that it was overexploited for its eggs, which are considered a delicacy food. This blog was overall very interesting to read because I did not know anything about this species prior to reading this, and I hope that the recovery plan for the beluga sturgeon is effective in restoring its populations.
ReplyDelete-Kellie Williams
It breaks my heart to learn about such an amazing species and then realize that they are endangered solely because of human actions/interactions. I had no idea that there was a freshwater fish that could weigh up to 7,000 pounds and live up to 100 years old! These guys are practically dinosaurs and yet we are still exploiting them to the point of extinction. -Hope Young
ReplyDeleteI don't know much about fish, so it was interesting to read your blog about the Beluga Sturgeon. It is an incredible species with such unique physical characteristics. I have never heard of a fish with scutes instead of scales or living up to 100 years. Like Kellie, it was shocking to learn that their population had declined by 95%. It is disheartening to see such an age old species, one that has survived for so long, be at the complete mercy of humans only because of human interaction with the species. - Emily White
ReplyDeleteI never knew that this was the species that made caviar! Even though it is my favorite food, I will now limit my consumption after reading this post. -Max Tannenwald
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this species until reading this blog! I truly hope that the amount of fishing for this species decreases. Like Kellie said, I think this animal is worth saving due to its importance to freshwater ecosystems. -Morgan White
ReplyDeleteThe beluga sturgeon is an animal that I have never heard of. I thought your description was well done and it made it easy to understand the areas the animal could be found. I enjoyed learning about this mysterious animal and how I can help to save it. -Nick Vollucci
ReplyDeleteWho would have thought that this species of fish preys on baby seals?! I thought that was very interesting. I had no clue that the caviar indusrtry could have this much of an impact on a specific fish. Your blig was very informative, great job James!-Rick Taggesell
ReplyDeleteI'm always impressed to find the unique ways that animals hunt for food. The whiskers (barbells) on the European Sturgeon are nothing short of that. Truly a unique fish, the largest fresh water fish, weighing up to 7200 Pounds, this is one species that you can't find anywhere else and would be a shame is driven to extinction through overexploitation. -Jason Wahlund
ReplyDeleteThey really do look like living fossils! Its both sad and amazing that we love these animals and their products so much we have used them almost to extinction in only thirty years. -Austin Whaley
ReplyDeleteSuch a strange looking fish, very interesting that they don't have scales. They look like an alien or something. You did great in the layout and the population range section, crazy that their population is down by 93%. I hope the recovery plan is effective!- Gabe Worthington
ReplyDelete