180,000 juvenile Ship sturgeon released into the Sefidroud River (south of the Caspian Sea) by Iran despite the Covid-19 crisis
Ship sturgeon (Acipenser nudiventris) is one of the 27 species of Acipenseridae, whose offspring are in great danger of extinction, and unfortunately there is no official report of the catch of wild fish for its artificial reproduction. Meanwhile, in recent years, Iran has been able to release 401456 juveniles of this species into the Caspian Sea during 5 recent years.
On June 21, 2020, a total number of 180,000 Ship juveniles with a medium weight 2.5 g produced by Shahid Dr. Beheshti Sturgeon Restoration and Genetic Conservation Center (Guilan, Iran) was released into the Sefidroud River as the largest river in the southern part of the Caspian Sea. This number of fish was produced from artificially induction of 17 females and 16 males kept in this center by using LHRHa2, and after breeding the larva were cultured in earthen ponds with a survival rate of 58.6% and 2.5 g mean weight.
Iran’s efforts came as Covid-19 disease affected or stopped many commercial activities and conservation programs in different parts of the world. It is hoped that with the efforts of the Iranian Fisheries Organization, and especially Shahid Dr. Beheshti Sturgeon Restoration and Genetic Conservation Center the production and releasing of Ship sturgeon could be able to prevent this endangered species from extinction, which should be especially not only by Iran, but also supported by many international organizations.
Prof. Bahram Falahatkar
