Science Response 2014/043
Distinctiveness and Status of the Saint John River Population of Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum)
Context
Science advice on the genetic distinctiveness and population status of the Saint John River (SJR) population of Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) was requested by Fisheries Resource Management in the National Capital Region. This information may be used to inform a possible decision by the United States (US) government to delist the Saint John River population of Shortnose Sturgeon from the US Endangered Species Act (ESA), i.e., through recognition of the SJR population of Shortnose Sturgeon as a Distinct Population Segment and concurrence with the Canadian Species at Risk Act (SARA) listing of Shortnose Sturgeon as a species of Special Concern. Specifically, the following questions were asked:
- Is the Saint John River population of Shortnose Sturgeon sufficiently genetically distinct from all other populations of Shortnose Sturgeon as to meet the criteria for recognition as a Designatable Unit (Canada) and a Distinct Population Segment (USA)?
- What is known about the present status of the Saint John River Shortnose Sturgeon population?
DFO Science was also asked to provide recommendations on what work would need to be done to answer these questions if they cannot be fully addressed with the information available.
Given the short timeframe to provide a response, DFO’s Science Response Process was used.
This Science Response Report results from the Science Response Process of 18 August, 2014, on the Status of Saint John River Population of Shortnose Sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum).
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