What is the greatest threat to paddlefish?
The greatest threat is loss of spawning habitat. Successful spawning seems to be the weak link in the paddlefish’s survival. Paddlefish can grow well in reservoirs (even faster than in rivers), but they need natural, free-flowing rivers to reproduce effectively. Most states that have lost their paddlefish have destroyed their spawning habitat, and without that spawning habitat we really can’t do much for the species in the long run. Legal overfishing has depleted paddlefish stocks in some areas, but it is not as much of a threat as habitat loss. Illegal fishing, however, can be a major threat to the species because it is uncontrolled. Illegal paddlefishing just for the eggs, which are a valuable source of caviar, has been documented in several states. In Missouri and Tennessee, especially, many fish of both sexes have been illegally taken or killed as poachers sought eggs. Anyone witnessing or hearing about illegal harvest should report it immediately.
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