The Alabama Sturgeon: A Dying Breed

By: Malcolm Mills

Photo Credit: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20130504
_NAL%20AL%20Sturgeon%20Recovery%20Plan%2005042013.pdf

The Alabama Sturgeon
Scaphirhynchus suttkusi

Current Status: Endangered (suspected to be close to extinction)
Status Established: May 5, 2000
Areas Protected: Anywhere Found

The Alabama Sturgeon: Description and Ecology

Formally Scaphirhynchus suttkusi, the Alabama Sturgeon is a native of the rivers of the Mobile River Basin. This rare fish belongs to the family of fish Acipenseridae. The Alabama Sturgeon typically grows to about 31 inches long (about 80 centimeters) and only weighs between 2 to 4 pounds (about 1-2 kilograms).

The Alabama Sturgeon’s head resembles a shovel; especially the snout, which is flat and wide. Its mouth sticks out noticeably and is tubular in shape. It has 4 “whiskers” attached to the bottom of the snout which help locate food for the Alabama Sturgeon. Its back is made up of plates that run the length of its back.

The Alabama Sturgeon typically lives 12 to 15 years. It is a bottom feeder fish, meaning it stays near the sandy bottom of the rivers and feeds from any scraps that fall from above. This makes the Alabama Sturgeon a crucial piece in the Mobile River Basin’s nutrient cycles in the rivers, as well as contributing to decomposition of leftover material that come from other organisms it cohabits with.

Geographic and Population Dynamics

Photo Credit: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20130504
_NAL%20AL%20Sturgeon%20Recovery%20Plan%2005042013.pdf

The first documented Alabama Sturgeon was in 1880 in the Alabama River. Before 1990, the Alabama Sturgeon populated a wide range of the Mobile River Basin; nearly 1,000 miles (~1,600 kilometers) of river habitat in the basin. In 1898, a report from the U.S. Commission of Fish & Fisheries recorded claims of commercial catch of the Alabama Sturgeon at about 20,000 specimens.

Between 1898 and the early 1980s, data collected showed that the Alabama Sturgeon's population and living range was rapidly declining. In the mid-1980s, interviews conducted indicated that they had all but disappeared from areas where they were once common. The Alabama Sturgeon had been eliminated from about 860 miles of its historical range; about 86% of its original habitat.

By 1990, the Alabama Sturgeon had become extremely rare. Since 1900, there have been only 9 confirmed catches of the species. Today, Alabama Sturgeon are rarely collected from the lower part of the Cahaba River and the Alabama River for research. Because of this severe drop in population, people started advocating for the protection and recovery of the fish starting in 1991. By May 5, 2000, it was categorized as an endangered species.

Main Threats to Continued Existence

Photo Credit: Hal Yeager, AL.com

1. Exploitation – The Alabama Sturgeon was subject to unrestricted harvesting. Initially the Alabama Sturgeon was considered a nuisance and was killed on catch by commercial fishermen. However, in the early 20th century, its eggs became popular for caviar, causing a rise in harvesting of the unborn specimens.

2. Habitat Alteration – Historically, the Alabama Sturgeon migrates around the Mobile River Basin to feed and to reproduce. This has been made extremely difficult, if not impossible due to several dams and locks that have been constructed in the basin. With these locks and dams, The Alabama Sturgeon cannot move freely through their already diminished range to feed and repopulate.

3. Low Population – The Alabama Sturgeon is suspected to be close to extinction. With optimistic estimates of the population being about 50 individuals, the Alabama Sturgeon needs to increase its population size if there is any hope for it to survive.

Recovery Plan

The Recovery plan for the Alabama Sturgeon consists of 5 main strategies:

1. Capturing enough specimens to ensure survival and safety. Due to the alarmingly low population size of the species, this is a crucial first step. This strategy constitutes developing a hatchery program where the specimens can increase their population size and increase their genetic diversity. Efforts are being made to adjust locks and dam structures along the Basin so that the rivers' water flow will allow the Alabama Sturgeon to move freely.

2. Maintaining the hatcheries and holding facilities is another crucial strategy. While in the facilities, habitats must be maintained and genetic diversity must be promoted in the population.

3. Protect and promote existing habitat in the Alabama River and the surrounding areas. Due to the alarming amount of habitat that was already lost, people must be encouraged to preserve and promote a better habitat for this species. More research must also be done to encourage progress with this step.

4. Conducting a life history study to learn more about the species’ history. Very little is known about the natural history of the Alabama Sturgeon. In order to be more effective in orchestrating a recovery, more needs to be learned of this now rare species in order to more effectively take actions that would promote the recovery of this species.

5. Stay consistent with recovery efforts and update the recover plan accordingly. As with all endeavors attempted, the efforts to maintain a successful program must be maintained and adjusted as new information comes to light.

Want to Learn More? Take a look at the Recovery Plan!

http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20130504_NAL%20AL%20Sturgeon%20Recovery%20Plan%2005042013.pdf

Works Cited:

Powell JR, Hartfield P. 2013 Jul 8. Recovery Plan for the Alabama Sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus suttkusi) [Internet]. **Edition**. Atlanta(GA):U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; [**Last Updated**, cited 2015 Jun 4] . Available from: http://ecos.fws.gov/docs/recovery_plan/20130504_NAL%20AL%20Sturgeon%20Recovery%20Plan%2005042013.pdf