Status of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon in the Satilla and St Marys Rivers, GA

Atlantic and shortnose sturgeons are components of the biodiversity of fishes in the many south Atlantic rivers but overfishing and habitat destruction have extirpated many populations.  Historical records indicate that both species once inhabited the Satilla and St Marys Rivers, Georgia, but neither species has been documented in recent years.   The objective of this project was to assess the population status of Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon in the Satilla and St Marys Rivers, and to evaluate current habitat availability for these species in each river system.  A rigorous standardized sampling program for both species was initiated in October 2008.  To date, we have expended >1000 hours of sampling effort on each river.  On the Satilla River we have 42 Atlantic sturgeon, but only two shortnose sturgeon.  Only one shortnose has been captured on the St Marys.  Weekly measures of basic water quality suggest that low dissolved oxygen (<3 mg/L) and high water temperatures (>27⁰C) during the summer months are probably limiting sturgeon recovery in both rivers.