2014 Informal status review for the Northern Distinct Population Segment of the North American green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris)

This review examines new information about the Northern Distinct Population Segment (DPS) of green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) to assess its status as a Species of Concern (i.e., to verify whether its current position on the NMFS Species of Concern List is still appropriate). Based on the last status review in 2005, NMFS concluded that the Northern DPS did not warrant listing under the Endangered Species Act (ESA), but designated the species as a NMFS Species of Concern, due to concerns about fisheries harvest, alterations to freshwater habitat, and the lack of population data. The following summarizes our evaluation of and conclusions based on the new information that has become available since 2005 about the Northern DPS’ abundance, productivity, distribution, life history characteristics, and threats.