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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY <br />Current Species Status: The pallid sturgeon was listed as endangered on <br />September 6, 1990 (55 FR 36641). Although the species range is large, catch <br />records are extremely rare. The species may be close to extinction. <br />Habitat Requirements and Limiting Factors: The pallid sturgeon is native to <br />the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers and, therefore, adapted to the pre - <br />development habitat conditions that existed in these large rivers. These <br />conditions generally can be described as large, free - flowing, warmwater, <br />turbid habitat with a diverse assemblage of physical habitats that were in a <br />constant state of change. Modification of the pallid sturgeon's habitat by <br />human activities has blocked fish movement, destroyed or altered spawning <br />areas, reduced food sources or ability to obtain food, altered water <br />temperatures, reduced turbidity, and changed the hydrograph of the river <br />system. Overfishing, pollution, and hybridization that occurs due to habitat <br />alterations also have probably contributed to the species' population decline. <br />Recovery Objectives and Criteria: The short -term recovery objective is to <br />prevent species extinction by establishing three captive broodstock <br />populations in separate hatcheries that are initially composed of five to <br />seven wild adult males and five to seven wild adult females each by 1998. The <br />long -term objective is to downlist and delist the species through protection, <br />habitat restoration, and propagation activities by 2040. Downlisting and <br />delisting would be initiated when pallid sturgeon are reproducing naturally <br />and populations are self- sustaining within designated river reaches. <br />Delisting criteria are undeterminable at this time. Preliminary downlisting <br />criteria have been identified, however these criteria may be modified or <br />expanded in the future. Under the current preliminary criteria, downlisting <br />may be considered when (1) a population structure with at least 10 percent <br />sexually mature females occurring within each recovery - priority management <br />area has been achieved, and when (2) sufficient population numbers are present <br />to maintain stability. <br />Actions Needed: <br />1. Restore habitats and functions of the Missouri and Mississippi River <br />ecosystems while minimizing impacts on other uses of the rivers. <br />2. Protect pallid sturgeon and their habitat, and minimize threats from <br />existing and proposed human activities. <br />3. Increase public awareness of the laws and needs for protecting pallid <br />sturgeon. <br />4. Establish refugia of pallid sturgeon broodstock. <br />5. Obtain information on life history and habitat requirements of all life <br />stages of pallid sturgeon. <br />vii <br />