Movement and habitat use of green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris in the Rogue River, Oregon, USA

Journal of Applied Ichthyology
By: , and 

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Abstract

Green sturgeon (Acipenser medirostris) movement patterns and habitat use within the Rogue River, Oregon were evaluated using radio telemetry. Nineteen specimens ranging from 154 to 225 cm total length were caught by gill netting and tagged with radio transmitters during May-July 2000. One tagged green sturgeon was verified as a female near spawning condition. Individual green sturgeons spent more than 6 months in fresh water and traveled as far as river kilometer (rkm) 39.5. Green sturgeon preferred specific holding sites within the Rogue River during summer and autumn months. These sites were typically deep (> 5 m) low-gradient reaches or off-channel coves. Home ranges within holding sites were restricted. All tagged individuals emigrated from the system to the sea during the autumn and winter, when water temperatures dropped below 10??C and flows increased. This species is extremely vulnerable to habitat alterations and overfishing because it spawns in only a few North American rivers and individuals reside within extremely small areas for extended periods of time.
Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Movement and habitat use of green sturgeon Acipenser medirostris in the Rogue River, Oregon, USA
Series title Journal of Applied Ichthyology
DOI 10.1046/j.1439-0426.2002.00403.x
Volume 18
Issue 4-6
Year Published 2002
Language English
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title Journal of Applied Ichthyology
First page 565
Last page 569
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