Population Viability Analysis of the European Sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L.) from the Gironde Estuary System

This study presents a population viability analysis (PVA) conducted on the Gironde population of Acipenser sturio using the Vortex software package. As identified by the model, the most important objects of the future research efforts related to A. sturio life history should be the determination of the mean fecundity, age at which females reach maturity, female spawning frequency and population sex ratio, as well as the intrinsic population growth rate and the age-specific natural mortality, especially of the youngest age classes. The model has confirmed a high population susceptibility to unsustainable fishery, and a slow recovery potential that can span over a number of decades. The detected lag between the stocking activities and the initiation of the actual population recovery should be taken into account in the planning of restoration projects. PVA should be recognized as an important tool, and integrated within future research, management and policy development efforts.