Extinct Fishes : Shortnose Sturgeon

The only Canadian occurrence of this small sturgeon, which grows up to 143 cm in length, is in the St. John River, New Brunswick. In the United States, where it is classified as endangered, its range is the tidal rivers and coastal waters from Maine to Florida. However, it has disappeared from much of this range, primarily due to pollution and dams, which prevent the fish from reaching their spawning grounds.

Although a rare species in Canada, some are caught accidentally in commercial fishing operations, and, according to size limitations, may be marketed. Recommendations for protection include pollution controls, larger gill net mesh size, and the use of traps instead of gill nets.