They have all arrived safely from France. IGB researcher Jörn Gessner inspects each individual animal. | Photo: Nadja Neumann
It has been a long time since any offspring of the European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) have been seen at IGB. Until now, it has not been possible to reproduce the animals at IGB. The INRAE (Institut national de recherche pour l'agriculture, l'alimentation et l'environnement) in France has also had very few offspring in recent years. Together with IGB, the French partner institute is coordinating the re-introduction of the European sturgeon in Europe.
"It's all the more pleasing that we've now received animals," said Jörn Gessner, who coordinates the European and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus) reintroduction projects at IGB.
The European sturgeon was once native to the North Sea and its tributaries. Like the Atlantic sturgeon, this species has fallen victim to overfishing, water development and habitat loss.
The new sturgeon are intended to support the existing parent population at the IGB. However, it will be almost ten years before they reach maturity. Some will be released in the spring, hopefully to become adults in the wild.
With this good news, we wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Thank you for your continued enthusiasm and interest in the work of the institute!
