Books
Acipenseriformes
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THE STURGEONS AND PADDLEFISHES
(Acipenseriformes) OF THE WORLD: Biology and Aquaculture
By Martin Hochleithner and Jörn Gessner.
An extended, updated and reviewed third edition.
Soft- or Hardcover, 248 pages. 
The breeding
and culture of sturgeons in captivity has advanced rapidly over the past several years.
With recent developments, the requirements of the industry have changed, and the
techniques used have also evolved and been adapted to meet these changing needs. Based on
experience gained in the the former
The book has the style of a species synopsis coupled with everything anyone needs to know
about the reproduction and culture of acipenserid fishes. It summarizes current knowledge
on all sturgeon and paddlefish species worldwide and presents it as a
practitioner-oriented working guide. It draws on the experience and research findings of
the authors gained over more than two decades. The new, third edition has been updated,
extended, and reviewed, and includes many new colour illustrations. It value will be
timeless.
The book is structured into four sections, comprising:
- An introduction, gross morphology, general ecology, systematics of sturgeons, and the
sturgeon hybrids, as well as a revisted key to the species.
- A species secition, with details of all known species worldwide including their
description, their distribution, their ecology, and their economy.
- An aquaculture section including the different methods of management, handling,
propagation, incubation, feeding, management and ongrowing strategies in tanks, pond and
cages. As well as an overview on fisheries techniques, stock management, product
processing.
- An annex, including sturgeon egg and larval development, parasites and prey organisms as
well as international names and synonyms for the species.
Content & Reviews
The
BIBLIOGRAPHY of Acipenseriformes
By Martin Hochleithner, Jörn Gessner and Sergej Podushka.
The most important and comprehensive bibliography about Acipenseriformes.
Available as searchable electronic version (on CD-ROM) or printed book version (over
500 pages).
This bibliography, which includes nearly all publications from around the world, and covers all Acipenseriforms and a range of topics, is intended to serve as a ready reference for researchers, fisheries managers, aquaculturists and conservationists who work with this ancient fish group. The numerous references are listed alphabetically by author(s) and chronologically by year(s), as the original title. Almost all sturgeon- and paddlefish species are threatened or endangered. Information on them is by no means complete, whether in fields related to sturgeon culture, biology, ecology or management. Due to the current rate of wild-stock exploitation and environmental degradiation, the availability of new information might prove crucial for their survival. This is an attempt to disseminate information about work carried out to date, and to increase its availability.
CITES
IDENTIFICATION GUIDE - Sturgeons and Paddlefish
By Paul Vecsei, Richard Charette, Martin Hochleithner, Ilya Trukshin, Tamara Maliepaard
and Yvan Lafleur.
Guide to the Identification of Sturgeon and Paddlefish Species Controlled under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora.
Text in English, French, and Spanish. Ringbound, 180 pages (or as PDF-file, included in the Bibliography on CD-ROM).
The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, commonly refered to as CITES, has controlled
few forms of wildlife trade with the history of illegal activities as the trade in caviar.
The involvement of organized crime in the caviar trade has been well documented and
enforcement personnel have been killed trying to combat sturgeon poaching. Sturgeon
species have existed since pre-history but many are now seriously threatened with
extinction. Future efforts to conserve sturgeons must take into account socio-economic
factors, water pollution, destruction of habitat and reduced access to traditional
spawning grounds. Implementation and enforcement of the Convention can, however, have a
major beneficial effect. That is why the CITES Secretariat believes this Guide will be of
substantial assistance to enforcement staff in their efforts to tackle illegal trade in
sturgeon and sturgeon products and is delighted to be associated with its well illustrated
publication.
Biology and Conservation of the European Sturgeon Acipenser
sturio L. 1758: The Reunion of the European and Atlantic Sturgeons
By Patrick Williot, Eric Rochard, Nathalie Desse-Berset, Frank Kirschbaum and Jörn
Gessner (Editors).
The book aims at synthesizing our current knowledge of Acipenser sturio
and its management. This species, one of the most widespread sturgeon species all over
Western Europe ranging from the Black Sea to the Baltic, is now on the verge of
extinction. Major aspects of its biology and management, including mismanagement, are
provided in a historic perspective. Similarly, the changes in the restoration programs (in
situ and ex situ) initiated in France and Germany are presented. As the species occurred
in sympatry with Acipenser oxyrinchus in Germany and Poland and very recently in France as
well, a brief outlook on restoration-management programs of A. oxyrinchus are also
provided for both North America and Northern European countries. As
conservation-restoration actions go beyond scientific issues, non-governmental
stakeholders and marine professional fishermen’s organizations have also been asked
to contribute, and the key role of a French-German cooperation plan is underlined. A part
of the book is devoted to perspectives. Illustrations of the European sturgeon, mainly in
photographs, but also in stamps and paintings, are presented.
Action
Plan for the Conservation of Sturgeons (Acipenseridae) in the Danube River Basin
By Jürg Bloesch, Tim Jones, Ralf Reinartz, Beate Striebel (Editors).
Paperback, 121 pages.
Six species of sturgeons are native to the Danube River Basin. The need for conservation action is urgent, given that recent observations in the Lower Danube indicate that all sturgeon populations are near extinction. Due to the high commercial value of sturgeon products, in particular caviar, the pressure from proaching and illegal trade remains intense. These species will not survive unless fishing practices are greatly addressed, and both migration routes and habitats for all life-cycle stages are protected. Through national action and international co-ordination, this action plan aims to secure viable populations of all Danube sturgeon species by sustainable management and restoration of their natural habitats and migratory corridors.
Rescue
of Sturgeon Species in the Ural River Basin
By Victor Lagutov (Editor).
Hardcover, 333 pages.
This volume is devoted to the uniqueness, history and problems of the Ural river basin, its sturgeons and perspectives of their conservation. The Ural river, the third longest river in Europe, is a unique ecosystem. Unlike other large European rivers the river has not been regulated and the natural hydrological regime is still intact. Thanks to that it has the only remaining spawning habitats in the entire Caspian basin for all sturgeon species. Nevertheless, this fact is not well known to the broader scientific and environmental communities. The Ural river is also an interesting place due to its rich history of sustainable use of aquatic resources in general and sturgeons in particular. The traditional life style of the local communities, Ural Cossacks, was focused on the preservation and rational use of sturgeon species. This interesting experience of sustainable river-related management is not adequately reported in literature. To secure further Ural sturgeon preservation the river basin ecosystem and human activities in the region must be managed in an integrated sustainable manner. The sturgeon species can be used as a natural indicator and an incentive for such transboundary IWRM cooperation taking into account all three components of sustainable development: economic, social and environmental.
Biology,
Conservation and Sustainable Development of Sturgeons
By Ramón Carmona, Alberto Domezain, Manuel García-Gallego, José Antonio Hernando,
Fernando Rodríguez, Manuel Ruiz-Rejón (Editors).
Hardcover, 467 pages.
Sturgeons are considered “living fossils”, sharing many
morphological and biological features with ancestral fish. Furthermore, sturgeons are of
the utmost interest from an economic perspective, not only for the caviar but for the
flesh. However, the wild populations of the majority of the species are at serious risk of
extinction all over the world. So, it is urgent to develop strategies for both farming
culture and conservation and recovery in natural habitats. This book provides a
comprehensive view of the biology and sustainable development of sturgeons putting
emphasis on the Southern Europe autochthonous species such as Acipenser nacarii and
Acipenser sturio that share geographical distribution. Other relevant species (such as
Huso huso, A. oxyrhinchus, A. ruthenus, A. stellatus) and areas (Germany, Russia, North
America) are also considered. The contents are organised in three sections: Taxonomy and
Biogeography (including the morphological and genetic analyses that clarify the taxonomy
and phylogeny of sturgeons), Biology and Aquaculture (where several aspects of the
developmental biology, feeding, and reproduction are considered in relation to the
improvement of sturgeon farming), and Recovery and Conservation (that collates and
analyses different recovery research actions, the ecology of the rivers for restoration as
well as the problems related to the trade of caviar).
By Greg T.O. LeBreton, F. William H. Beamish, R. Scott McKinley (Editors).
Hardcover, 323 pages.
Modern North American sturgeons and paddlefish
are the result of 100 million years of evolution. Once an integral part of aboriginal
culture, their numbers were decimated by overfishing and habitat destruction during the
past two centuries. This book details the extensive science aimed at helping these
remarkable species recover from the brink of extinction, and describes the historical,
biological, and ecological importance of North American sturgeon and paddlefish. The text
is enhanced by photographs and detailed line drawings. This comprehensive volume will be
an invaluable resource for researchers, educators, and consultants, in academic and
government settings, who work to further scientific understanding of these fishes. No
other single compilation has documented current information in such detail.
Contents: Inga Saffron - Introduction: The Decline of the
North American Species; Tim E. Holzkamm and Leo G. Waisberg - Native American Utilization
of Sturgeon; Jennifer A. Wilson and R. Scott McKinley - Distribution, Habitat, and
Movements; Joseph J. Cech Jr. and Serge I. Doroshov - Environmental Requirements,
Preferences, and Tolerance Limits of North American Sturgeons; Michael J. Miller - The
Ecology and Functional Morphology of Feeding of North American Sturgeon and Paddlefish;
Paul Vecsei and Douglas Peterson - Sturgeon Ecomorphology: A Descriptive Approach;
Jessica A. Bolker - Embryology; Stephan J. Peake - Swimming and Respiration; Thomas D.
Singer and James S. Ballantyne - Sturgeon and Paddlefish Metabolism; Greg T. O. LeBreton
and F. William H. Beamish - Growth, Bioenergetics and Age; Michael R. Robinson and Moira
M. Ferguson - Genetics of North American Acipenseriformes; Nancy J. Léonard, William W.
Taylor, and Christopher Goddard - Multijurisdictional Management of Lake Sturgeon in the
Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River; Nancy A. Auer - Conservation; Joel P. Van Eenennaam,
Frank A. Chapman, and Peter L. Jarvis - Aquaculture; Kevin G. Butterworth and Nancy J.
Léonard - Conclusion: Ensuring The Future of Sturgeon; Martin Hochleithner and Paul
Vecsei - Identification Key to Sturgeons and Paddlefish of North America;
NORTH AMERICAN
STURGEONS: Biology and Aquaculture Potential
By Frederick P. Binkowski and Sergei I. Doroshov (Editors).
Papers from a symposium on the biology and management of sturgeon.
Hardcover, 163 pages.
Sturgeons are an important group of commercial and recreational fishes. These ancient fish evolved over 200 million years ago. Approx. 24 species have survived to the present time and all are found in the northern hemisphere. In some regions these fish are priced for their commercial value, including flesh and caviar through both natural harvest and artificial culture. Fishery management projects were initiated on several North American species, primarly for commercial and sport fishing. During this time few attempts were made to advance the progress on developing the start-of-the-art for the artificial propagation of sturgeons. There were specific problems with various species relative to fish culture and fish management. Some of these problems have been investigated and the research results are included in this book. The Symposium on the Biology and Management of Sturgeon of North America was the first of its kind. It brought together scientists from numerous states. They each told their story and concluded that most populations of sturgeon in US and Canada have declined severely in the past 100 years and less is known about their biology and management than was previously thought. This national meeting set a registered attendance record of over 815 people. Undoubtedly the sturgeon symposium contributed to the attraction of the overall programm. The selection of papers in this book includes genetics, reproductive physiology, taxonomy, culture, behavoir, development, and ecology and management of six species of sturgeon.
STURGEON
BIODIVERSITY AND CONSERVATION
By Vadim J. Birstein, John R. Waldman and William E. Bemis (Editors).
Selected, Reviewed and Revised Papers form the International Conference
on Sturgeon Biodiversity and Conservation.
Hardcover, 444 pages.
This volume presents a synthesis of basic
biological and conservation data for all species of sturgeons (Acipenseridae),
paddlefishes (Polyodontidae) and their fossil allies in the order Acipenseriformes. Since
the Jurassic, the four families of sturgeon-like fish have been restricted to the
Holarctic, where until very recently they flourished in most major river systems. Today,
however, virtually all species of sturgeons and paddlefishes face difficult conservation
issues. Papers in the first section of this volume examine paleontology, systematics,
evolution and basic biology of acipenseriformes. The second section of this volume details
current conservation status for most of the world's living species of Acipenseriformes.
The third section of the volume considers specific human impacts and responses to
conservation issues. The volume's summary reviews the status of all extant species and
notes future directions for research on behavior, ecology and population biology that
could lead to better co-ordinated international conservation efforts.
ANADROMOUS
STURGEONS: Habitats, Threats, and Management
By Jean Munro, Daniel Hatin, Joseph E. Hightower, Kim McKown, Kenneth J. Sulak,
Andrew W. Kahnle, and François Caron (Editors).
Proceedings of the Symposium "Anadromous Sturgeons - Status and
Trends".
Hardcover, 415 pages.
Because of their threatened status, sturgeons have been the focus of broad scientific interest. This book provides new information on freshwater, estuarine, and marine habitats of anadromous sturgeons; examines threats to habitats and populations; and reviews management and population trends in light of progress on recovery of U.S. This proceedings of an American Fisheries Society Symposium has the following contents: Synthesis and Summary; Part I. Habitats; Part II. Threats and Restoration; Part III. Management and Population Trends.
PEOPLE
OF THE STURGEON: Wisconsin's Love Affair with an Ancient Fish
By Kathleen Schmitt Kline, Ronald M. Bruch, Frederick P. Binkowski.
Hardcover, 320 pages.
Lake sturgeon - ancient fish native to the Great Lakes region that can grow to be more than six feet long - have teetered on the brink of extinction since the late nineteenth century. But in Wisconsin, careful management for over 100 years has allowed one population to thrive. "People of the Sturgeon" is a history of the cultures surrounding lake sturgeon in Wisconsin’s Lake Winnebago region, told by a fascinating collection of photos, artifacts, and a few good fish tales. From some of the earliest inhabitants of Wisconsin, the Menominee Indian Tribe, to the spearers who flock to frozen Lake Winnebago for the annual sturgeon spearing season, people have always been drawn to this ancient fish. While overfishing, dams and pollution nearly wiped out other populations of lake sturgeon, Winnebago sturgeon have survived and flourished because of the dedicated efforts of state managers, university researchers, and a determined group of spearers known as "Sturgeon for Tomorrow". This is the only population of sturgeon in the world to have been nearly extirpated, then resurrected through a community-wide effort of people who are now joined together as "People of the Sturgeon".
