European sea sturgeon (Acipenser sturio)

Species information

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Threats

These long-lived and slow-growing fish are very vulnerable to exploitation; the European sea sturgeon has been extensively fished for its highly prized flesh and for the eggs, which are sold as caviar (6). The development of river systems, in particular the construction of hydroelectric dams, destroys the breeding habitat of this species and adults are no longer able to return to their natal rivers to breed (8). Today only a single reproductive population remains and the species is consequently extremely vulnerable to extinction (5).

Conservation

The European sea sturgeon is protected from international trade by its listing on Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) (3). A captive breeding programme (8) for the species is being undertaken with the long-term goal of reintroducing this 'dinosaur of the sea' to some of its former range.