The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed the shovelnose sturgeon (pictured, below) as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act due to its similarity of appearance to the endangered pallid sturgeon. This action effectively terminates commercial harvest of shovelnose sturgeon and shovelnose-pallid sturgeon hybrids where they commonly coexist with the pallid sturgeon.


Because shovelnose sturgeon and pallid sturgeon are difficult to differentiate in the wild and because domestic sturgeon fishing pressure has been driven by demand for sturgeon and their roe, the Fish and Wildlife Service believes that treating the shovelnose sturgeon as a threatened species will ultimately aid the conservation and recovery of pallid sturgeon. For more information, visit www.fws.gov/mountain-prairie/missouririver/moriver_pallidsturgeon.htm.

The goal of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is to conserve, protect and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. Visit www.fws.gov.