Lawsuits Seek Enforcement of Endangered Species Act to Protect Atlantic Sturgeon from Commercial Bycatch
Environmental organizations are suing New York, New Jersey, and Delaware, claiming that the states’ failure to prevent the accidental capture of endangered Atlantic sturgeon in commercial fishing nets is pushing the species closer to extinction. Filed on Thursday, the federal lawsuits by the Delaware Riverkeeper Network and Hudson Riverkeeper allege that the states are violating the Endangered Species Act by allowing commercial fisheries to operate without the necessary permits to protect sturgeon.
The lawsuits argue that commercial fishing operations targeting striped bass and summer flounder unintentionally capture and kill Atlantic sturgeon as “bycatch,” which has severely hindered the recovery of the species.
Endangered Sturgeon Face Extinction Threat in Delaware and Hudson Rivers
Atlantic sturgeon were classified as endangered in the Delaware and Hudson Rivers in 2012. Delaware Riverkeeper Maya van Rossum emphasized the urgency of the situation during a virtual news conference, saying, “The Atlantic sturgeon of our two rivers are at risk of being wiped from the face of this earth within our lifetime.”
Sturgeon populations, which date back to the time of dinosaurs, have declined dramatically due to pollution, dam construction, and overfishing over the last century. The Delaware River was once home to around 180,000 female sturgeon; however, fewer than 250 spawning adults remain, according to Rossum. Hudson Riverkeeper Tracy Brown echoed these concerns, stating, “Despite the endangered species listing, our Hudson River sturgeon population has not seen improvement. It is, quite frankly, disgraceful that so little progress has been made towards recovery.”
Legal Action Aims to Enforce Protections and Limit Bycatch
The environmental groups want to compel New York, New Jersey, and Delaware to comply with the Endangered Species Act by obtaining the required permits for commercial fishing operations, which they believe will lead to reduced bycatch and support Atlantic sturgeon recovery efforts.
Both New York and New Jersey environmental agencies declined to comment on the lawsuits, while Delaware’s agency did not respond immediately.
Sturgeon: A Species on the Brink
Atlantic sturgeon, which are distinguished by their bony plates and long lifespan, are born in freshwater but migrate to the sea. Once abundant in American rivers, their numbers dwindled due to overfishing for caviar, a luxury product made from sturgeon eggs, and continued to decline with industrial pollution and habitat disruption.
With this legal action, Delaware Riverkeeper and Hudson Riverkeeper hope to see stronger protections enforced to ensure the survival of this ancient species, advocating for the preservation of the rivers’ biodiversity and natural heritage.
