| Abstract/Description or Keywords |
The Nechako white sturgeon population is listed as an endangered species by COSEWIC and is protected under Schedule 1 of the Federal Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Recovery Plan for Nechako White Sturgeon (NWSRI 2004) provides information on the status of the Nechako stock group. The Recovery Plan includes information such as what is known about the distribution and movements, genetics and stock structure, growth, condition, maturation, survival, food and feeding, spawning behaviour, habitat, early life history and recruitment of this stock group. Priority recovery activities outlined in the Recovery Plan include the need to gather biological data on Nechako sturgeon as it relates to adult stock status and productivity, determination of essential habitats for each life history phase, and genetic baseline data. Also identified were the needs for assessments of stock status to ensure sources of adult mortality are being controlled, conservation fish culture is effective, and natural recruitment is re-established. In order to achieve the desired conservation status of a healthy and naturally reproducing population, targets are identified in the Recovery Plan. These targets are benchmarks by which progress toward recovery will be measured. The recovery of Nechako white sturgeon requires a two-pronged approach that combines: 1) conservation aquaculture with, 2) the investigation and restoration of habitat, which will be the focus of this document. |
