Alternative aging methods for Atlantic sturgeon: Research to improve management of a pre-historic natural resource
Principal Investigator: Gayle Zydlewski, UMaine School of Marine Sciences
Partners: Stephen McCormick, USGS
Abstract: The Gulf of Maine Atlantic sturgeon population is threatened, due to a lack of information known. Any basic research on the species can help Maine DMR and NOAA Fisheries better manage the species. Due to a lack of age information available for the Gulf of Maine Atlantic sturgeon population, any new information regarding age will aid this process. Traditionally sturgeon are aged through their pectoral fin spines, although this is destructive in nature. This method creates a weak spot in the fin, causing a potential for the pectoral fin to rip off if the notch were to become caught on something. The dorsal scutes of Atlantic sturgeon may be an alternative, less-invasive method of aging. This will not compromise the health of the pectoral fin. The student support on this grant will travel to USGS Conte Anadromous Fish Research Center in Turner Falls, MA, with a faculty member and graduate student to obtain samples from 8 live Atlantic sturgeon, whose ages are known. Each collected sample will be processed and aged by 3 different people. The hypothesis of this project is that the samples from each individual Atlantic sturgeon will result in the same age estimation. If this research allows for more accurate aging, both Maine DMR and NOAA Fisheries will be able to manage the population better. Hopefully in the future, the population will be opened up to fishing and caviar collection. This would bring in new source of revenue for the State of Maine.