Why do the Nechako white sturgeon need protection?
The white sturgeon is a unique, native fish species that is being threatened with extinction. In December 1994, the sturgeon, already assigned to BC’s Red List in 1993, was upgraded to “critically imperiled”. In November 2003, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) designated it “endangered,” indicating that this species is facing imminent extirpation or extinction. The most recent estimates have put the Nechako River population at fewer than 600 adult sturgeon. Furthermore, recent surveys have found few young fish, which indicates that sturgeon are not reproducing successfully and/or that juveniles are not surviving to adulthood. At the current rate of population decline the Nechako white sturgeon will be extinct in 25 years unless something is done.
