A Protocol for Use of Shortnose and Atlantic Sturgeons

Guidelines for handling and sampling ofAtlantic coast sturgeons are needed to protect these fishes and to facilitate standardization ofmethodologies used by sturgeon researchers. The shortnose sturgeon, Acipenser brevirostrum, is a federally listed endangered species and the Atlantic sturgeon, ACipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus, is considered a species of special concern. Consequently, special techniques have been developed to reduce stress and mortal­ ity resulting from sampling and handling these species. In this document we review the most acceptable methods for short-term holding, identification and measurement, tagging, tissue sampling, gastric lavage, and collection using a variety ofgear types. In addition, we pro­ vide a protocol for sampling to establish whether shortnose sturgeon are present in systems where their status is unknown.