Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Proposed Rule To Determine the Pallid Sturgeon To Be an Endangered Species

Authors

Date of this Version

8-30-1989

Comments

Published in Federal Register / Vol. 54, No. 167 / Wednesday, August 30, 1989 / Proposed Rules.

Abstract

The Service proposes to determine the pallid sturgeon (Scaphirhynchus albus) to be an endangered species under the authority of the Endangered Species Act (Act) of 1973, as amended. The pallid sturgeon is a large fish known only to occur in the Missouri River, the Mississippi River downstream of the Missouri River, and the lower Yellowstone River. The species is threatened through habitat modification and apparent lack of reproduction. Numbers of fish reported have declined dramatically in the last two decades. Past commercial utilization likely exceeded biological recruitment. Pollution may be a problem over much of its range, and significant hybridization has been documented. Listing would provide protection for preservation of the species. The Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) is requesting data and comments from interested parties on this proposal.