August 24, 2024 - The California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) has initiated a status review for white sturgeon (Acipenser transmontanus) and hereby solicits data and comments on the petitioned action to list this species as threatened under the California Endangered Species Act (CESA) (Fish and Game Code section 2074.4).
White sturgeon are found in coastal and anadromous waters in California ranging from the Sacramento and San Joaquin river basins north to the Oregon border. White sturgeon are the largest fish that can be found in freshwater in North America and can live as long as 100 years. They spawn in the large rivers of the Central Valley and mostly reside in the Delta and San Francisco Bay, although they sometimes range along the coast and enter bays and rivers. Threats include man-made changes to river flows, toxic harmful algal blooms, overfishing, poaching, collisions with large vessels and climate change.
On Nov. 29, 2023, the San Francisco Baykeeper, The Bay Institute, Restore the Delta and California Sportfishing Protection Alliance submitted a petition to the California Fish and Game Commission to list the white sturgeon as a threatened species under CESA. The Commission published findings of its decision to make the species a candidate for listing as a threatened species on July 12, 2024, and as such, the white sturgeon now receives the same legal protection afforded to an endangered or threatened species (Fish and Game Code sections 2074.2 and 2085).
As of July 12, 2024, CDFW has 12 months to conduct a status review that will inform the Commission’s final decision on whether to list white sturgeon as threatened under CESA. As part of the status review process, CDFW is soliciting information regarding the species’ ecology, genetics, life history, distribution, abundance, habitat, the degree and immediacy of threats to its reproduction or survival, adequacy of existing management and recommendations for management of the species.
CDFW respectfully requests that data and comments be submitted before Oct. 31, 2024, to allow sufficient time to evaluate this information during the status review period. Please submit data and comments to CDFW by email at sturgeon@wildlife.ca.gov(opens in new tab) and include “white sturgeon CESA” in the subject line. Data or comments may also be submitted by mail to California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Anadromous Fish Conservation and Management Program, Attn: White Sturgeon, P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090.
CDFW will produce a peer reviewed report based upon the best scientific information available, which will include a recommendation as to whether the petitioned action to list white sturgeon as threatened under CESA is warranted (Fish and Game Code section 2074.6). The report will be made publicly available on CDFW’s website(opens in new tab) at least 30 days before the Commission considers acting on the petition. Please note, the Commission — which is a legally separate entity from CDFW — is charged with making the final determination on whether to list a species as endangered or threatened under CESA (Fish and Game Code section 2075.5). CDFW serves in a scientific advisory role to the Commission during this process. See the California Fish and Game Commission webpage(opens in new tab) for details on submitting comments to the Commission and receiving email alerts for upcoming Commission meetings.
The listing petition, CDFW’s petition evaluation report and updates on the listing process(opens in new tab) are available on the Commission’s website.
Source: CDFW
