Key Distinguishing Markings: - Sturgeon can be characterized by
having an arched back with one row of bony plates or scutes. -
Their head is down sloped. - The eye is small. - The bottom of
their snout has four barbels or whiskers. - Their mouth is
located on the underside of their head. - These fish are
brownish olive in color on top, grading to pinkish tan on their
sides, to white on bottom. - They are mostly cartilaginous;
therefore, typical scales are absent. - Mature males are
approximately 5 feet and 90 pounds. - Mature females are
approximately 6 feet and 160 pounds. - Atlantic sturgeon are
found along the Atlantic coast from Labrador, Canada to Florida
and west to the Mississippi delta. - Before the turn of the
century, most major river systems from Canada to Florida
contained abundant, healthy stocks of Atlantic sturgeon. During
the 18th and 19th centuries, the Chesapeake Bay supported the
second greatest caviar fishery in the United States. However, by
the end of the 19th century, high harvest rates