Research

Life History and Population Dynamics of Atlantic Sturgeon on the Altamaha River

Earlier this year, American Rivers identified the Altamaha River as the 7th most endangered river in the U.S. Water withdrawals, pollution, and industrial developments have dramatically altered aquatic habitats from its headwaters to its delta situated near Darien, Georgia. Despite the onslaught of threats from human development, the Altamaha provides approximately 1/3 of Georgia’s total annual seafood. Although the river still supports several important commercial and recreational fisheries, populations of many endemic species have become scarce. Perhaps no population has suffered a more dramatic decline than the Atlantic sturgeon, (Acipenser oxyrinchus). Like most other U.S. populations, the Atlantic sturgeon population in the Altamaha declined from the largest single source of east coast sturgeon in the early 1900’s to a population on the brink of extirpation by the end of the century. Recognizing the impacts of over fishing and habitat degradation in the Altamaha, the sturgeon fishery was banned by the National Marine Fisheries Service in 1995. Unfortunately, however, the fishery was the only source of population data available to fisheries managers. Given the history of population declines and rapidly increasing development within the Altamaha watershed, fisheries independent data is needed to assess the remnant population of Atlantic sturgeon remaining in the Altamaha River System. The goal of the proposed project is to provide new information on the current status of the population, as well as quantified data on growth, reproduction, and juvenile abundance for what is believed to be one of the last remaining major populations of Atlantic sturgeon in U.S. waters.

The specific objectives of the proposed project will be to: 1) assess the current spawning stock status of Atlantic sturgeon in the Altamaha River to determine abundance, sex ratio, and age-structure of the spawning population, 2) survey juvenile abundance to determine recent recruitment trends, and 3) identify and describe essential habitats of different life stages of Atlantic sturgeon (i.e., juvenile, sub adult, and adult) in the Altamaha River. A secondary objective of this project will be to evaluate population trends since the 1996 closure of the Atlantic sturgeon fishery.

To learn more about Dr. Douglas Peterson and his work, visit his web page.