Lansing, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – After a 12 month investigation to assess the sturgeon species status, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) ruled on Monday not to designate the animal as endangered.

On Tuesday, FWS made public the findings in which they determined not to change the species’ endangered status.

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“After a thorough review of the best available scientific and commercial information, we find that listing the lake sturgeon as an endangered or threatened species is not warranted at this time,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Report said. “However, we ask the public to submit to us at any time any new information relevant to the status of the lake sturgeon or its habitat.”

When a species is considered “endangered,” the agency defines it as “any species that is in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its range.”

Historical Context for the 12-month study.

On May 23, 2018, the FWS received a petition from the Center for Biological Diversity requesting that the lake spurgeon be listed as an endangered or threatened species rangewide, or nine petitioned distinct population segments. The districts include: Lake Superior, western Lake Michigan, Red River, Rainy Lake/Rainy River/Lake of the Woods, upper Mississippi River, Missouri River, Ohio River, Arkansas-White River, and the lower Mississippi River.

Despite a 90-day finding published on Aug. 12, 2019, indicating that “listing may be warranted for the species,” a subsequent complaint was filed on Feb. 20, 2020 by the Center for Biological Diversity, Fishable Indiana Streams for Hoosiers, Hoosier Environmental Council, and Prairie Rivers Network alleging that the FWS failed to make a 12-month finding according to FWS.

“As a result of the litigation, we have a court-ordered date of June 30, 2024, to deliver a 12-month finding to the Federal Register,” the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service said in the report. “This document constitutes our 12-month finding on the May 23, 2018, petition to list the lake sturgeon under the Act.”

Though the “prehistoric” looking fish with “shark-like tails, and bony plate-armored covering” occupy a reduced area today, they remain in the four major North American drainages they occupied historically, “including the Mississippi River basin, the Great Lakes, Hudson Bay, and the Mobile River Basin.”

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For a full copy of the report, see here.

Advocates of the findings share reasons for praise.

“Today’s announcement shows the power of collaborative conservation and the impact it can have for species like the lake sturgeon,” said FWS Midwest Regional Director Will Meeks. “The fact that we’re seeing more and more lake sturgeon populations spawning in their historical habitat is a clear sign that restoration efforts are progressing. This success is credited to many partners including states, Tribes, local organizations and others across the country coming together to conserve this species.”

State Representative Cam Cavitt (R-Cheboygan) voiced his support for the FWS ruling.

“Michigan is the national leader in lake sturgeon preservation,” he said in a statement. “It’s great to see the feds recognize our world-class efforts and throw out this bogus attempt to ban lake sturgeon fishing nationwide.”

The member of the Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) House Subcommittee also added his perspective regarding the importance of the fish to the state.

“Sturgeon fishing season is basically a holiday in northern Michigan,” Rep. Cavitt said in a statement. “We teach our kids about the importance of preserving sturgeon populations so we can continue to celebrate the unique fishing season each year.”

Since 2003, more than 33,000 juvenile lake sturgeon have been stocked in the Cheboygan River drainage by the Black Lake sturgeon facility, according to Rep. Cavitt.