Predation 



Little is known of the predators of shortnose sturgeon, or the magnitude and 

 effect of predation on their populations. Even the young fish may be 

 protected from predation by their bony plates (Scott and Crossman 1973) . The 

 major predator on shortnose sturgeon may be people. 



Importance to Humanity 



The shortnose sturgeon is considered too small, and its populations too low, 

 for extensive commercial use. As a declared endangered species it cannot be 

 legally harvested or molested for any purpose. In the past, however, the 

 worth of its roe and flesh was even greater than that of the Atlantic sturgeon 

 (Clayton et al. 1976). Industrial and domestic pollution, obstruction of 

 spawning grounds (e.g., dam construction), and overfishing probably account 

 for the decline in sturgeon stocks. 



11-50 



