Sturgeon

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Called “living fossils” Sturgeons evolved over 160 million years ago and survived the mass extinction that killed the dinosaurs. Most spend their lives in the ocean, and migrate up rivers to spawn in freshwater. When European settlers arrived in North America, spawning runs were so numerous they could capsize fishing boats. In New York, sturgeon earned the nickname “Albany beef,” and caviar was served for free at bars across New York City. In the 1880s the US became the world’s largest caviar exporter, but by the 1920s Sturgeon began disappearing from the Hudson. Around the world, overfishing pushed them to the brink of extinction, compounded by damming, dredging, and contamination of their riverine habitats. Since 1970, populations crashed by 94%.

- In 2010, the IUCN declared them

WHAT YOU CAN DO

• Choose sustainably farmed caviar.

• Support river restoration and dam removal projects that reopen historic sturgeon spawning habitat.

• Support fishing regulations and moratoriums that protect remaining wild sturgeon populations.