STATUS OF RECOVERY PROGRAM 

 GULF STURGEON 



Plan Stage: Draft 



SPECIES COVERED 



GULF STURGEON 



RECOVERY PLAN STATUS 



The U.S. Fish & WildHfe Service has released a recovery plan for the Gulf sturgeon. For a copy 

 of the recovery plan, write to: 



Fish and Wildlife Reference Service 

 5430 Grosvenor Lane, Suite 1 10 

 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 



The major actions recommended in the plan are: 



1. Conduct and refine field investigafions to locate important habitats; 



2. Characterize riverine, estuarine, and neritic essential habitat: 



3. Develop and implement population sampling and monitoring techniques; 



4. Eliminate potential for introductions of non-nafive stock or other sturgeon; 



5. Conduct life history studies on the requirements of little-known life stages; 



6. Identify potential harmful chemical and water quantity and quality changes associated 

 with surface water restrictions; 



7. Idenfify and eliminate point and non-point sources of chemical contaminants; 



8. Seek resolution of conflict between authorized projects and restoration of fish 

 populations: 



9. Reduce or eliminate incidental mortality; 



10. Restore natural riverine habitats; 



1 1 . Utilize existing authorities to protect habitat, and where inadequate, enact new laws and 

 regulations; 



1 2. Identify dam and lock sites which offer the greatest flexibility for successful restoration 

 of essential habitats; 



13. Modify specific navigation projects which alter riverine habitats or modify thermal or 

 substrate characteristics of those habitats; 



14. Implement projects or actions which will achieve recovery plan objectives; 



15. Increase effectiveness and enforcement of state and federal take prohibitions; 



16. Seek funding for recovery acfions; 



1 7. Identify and eliminate known and potential impacts to water quantity and quality 

 associated with existing and proposed uses and water diversions; and 



1 8. Assess the relationship between groundwater pumping and reduction of groundwater 

 flows and quantify loss of riverine habitat related to reduced groundwater in-flows. 



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