(AmericanProsperity.com) – The Lake Sturgeons was believed to be deemed as endangered, but federal wildlife officials have said that it isn’t and that they don’t need Endangered Species Act protections. They have said that stocking programs have allowed the wildlife to return to areas where they’re population was dwindling.
This decision follows a long battle fought by the Center of Biological Diversity based in Arizona. They have been trying to get the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to list the Sturgeon as endangered, which would make it illegal to fish for the species.
The center has said that overharvesting and the deteriorating habitat is to blame for the declining species and experts have said that water pollution and diversions have caused “irreparable harm.”
Tierra Curry, a senior scientist at the center, said, “This is a disappointing decision because though some populations are well managed, overall the lake sturgeon has suffered a drastic decline.” Curry continued, “Endangered Species Act protection would bring a comprehensive recovery plan and ongoing funding to restore these iconic fish across their former range.”
Chuck Traxler, the wildlife service’s deputy regional director, said that stocking has helped the wildlife to continue in the area. Traxler emphasized that more needs to be done, saying, “It doesn’t mean everything is good right now. It means keep up the good work.”
Lake Sturgeon is an ancient Northern freshwater fish and has been around for over one hundred and thirty million years, which puts it in the same timeline as dinosaurs.
The fish were originally believed to be a nuisance because they tore the nets of fishermen, and this led to widespread overharvesting which eventually put the species in danger. Sturgeons are not able to keep up with reproduction because it takes them thirty years to get to spawning age. As of now, twenty states have outlawed Sturgeon harvesting as a result of these changes.
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