Premium
Population origin of Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus by‐catch in U.S. Atlantic coast fisheries
Author(s) -
Wirgin I.,
Maceda L.,
Grunwald C.,
King T. L.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
journal of fish biology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.672
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1095-8649
pISSN - 0022-1112
DOI - 10.1111/jfb.12631
Subject(s) - acipenser , fishery , biology , population , fishing , fisheries management , carangidae , sturgeon , fish <actinopterygii> , demography , sociology
Microsatellite DNA and mitochondrial DNA control‐region sequence analyses were used to determine the population and distinct population segment ( DPS ) origin of 173 Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus oxyrinchus encountered from the Gulf of Maine to Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, in NOAA 's Northeast Fisheries Observer Program. It was found that the Hudson River was by far the greatest contributor to this coastal by‐catch, with 42·2–46·3% of specimens originating there. Generally, specimens represented the geographic province of the river in which they were spawned, but some specimens, particularly those originating in the South Atlantic DPS , moved to great distances. Genetic mixed‐stock analyses provide an accurate approach to determine the DPS and population origin of A. o. oxyrinchus by‐catch in coastal waters, but most informative management requires that these results be partitioned by locale, season, target fishery and gear type.