Status of the project on protection and restoration of Atlantic sturgeon in Germany: background, current situation, and perspectives

One century ago, Acipenser sturio was a prevalent species of the fish communities in all major German rivers. Since then, the population sizes decreased rapidly due to overfishing, pollution and hydroconstruction. Under a scientific cooperation agreement with the French Cemagref established in 1995, the Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries received juvenile A. sturio for experimental purposes initiating an ex-situ measure. The outcome of the genetic studies led to a modification of the restoration strategy, namely the reintroduction of A. oxyrinchus in the Baltic and of A. sturio in the North sea.