The Wisconsin Lake Sturgeon Management Plan - Management Issues

The following issues were identified by the Sturgeon Management Assessment Team as the most crucial to the future of sturgeon management in Wisconsin.

A. There is a need for biological information on sturgeon/dynamics to effectively manage these species on a statewide or watershed basis. All aspects of target populations must be adequately assessed if this species is to be effectively managed in the future.

B. Habitat loss, modification, or inaccessibility have negatively affected sturgeon populations. For this species to continue to exist and flourish, it will be necessary to mitigate current conditions by providing passage opportunities at dams, reducing the occurrence and intensity of unnatural water level fluctuations, or by sustaining or improving river habitats and wetlands that are conducive to reproduction, growth, and survival.

C. The genetic diversity and long-term health of rehabilitated sturgeon populations must be maintained. Genetic diversity in hatchery reared fish must be maintained and maximized if at all possible.

D. There is a need for harvest and exploitation information on sturgeon to effectively manage this species on a statewide or watershed basis. Every opportunity to assess sturgeon fisheries must be taken.

E. Sturgeon populations have been reduced in many Wisconsin waters over the last 100 years. Biologically sound population goals should be established for sturgeon populations.

F. Sturgeon populations must receive adequate protection from illegal harvest or from incidental catch in commercial fisheries.

G. Understanding, support, and involvement by the general public is essential to an effective management program. Knowledge of the uniqueness of sturgeon populations is necessary to the understanding of goals and the establishment of management priorities. Increased public awareness and knowledge also facilitates compliance of the current regulatory framework.

H. There is no mechanism to fully evaluate or ensure that genetic variability and other population characteristics are maintained in commercial or private industry activities. Although private rearing and introductions may supplement existing populations and fisheries, it is imperative that the feasibility of such actions be completely evaluated before accepting this policy.

I. The lack of adequate statewide management goals and policies have impaired the progress of sturgeon management in Wisconsin. A sturgeon management plan developed through a coordinated planning effort with agency, govern mental, university, tribal, and private interests will elevate the concerns regarding sturgeon management to the appropriate administration and will provide a framework for decision making in the future.

The Plan | Biology and Distribution | Executive Summary | Management Issues | Objectives and Recommendations