Species that are considered uncertain risk need a more in-depth assessment beyond the Risk Summary to better define the species’ risk to U.S. environments.
The Beluga (Huso huso) is a large anadromous sturgeon species highly prized for its caviar. The species is long lived and late maturing, and coupled with historically high harvest, the species is listed as threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is highly imperiled within its native range. The species is native to western Asia and Eastern Europe around the Black, Azov, Adriatic, and Caspian Seas. The history of invasiveness is uncertain. Records of introduction were found but the species either failed to establish or the status is unknown. No information on impacts of introduction was found. Although the species is used in aquaculture no information on the actual volume or duration of trade was found. The climate match for the contiguous United States was high. Areas of highest match were found in the upper Midwest and around the Great Lakes. However, this species migrates between marine and non-marine environments. Because not all locations in the United States are conducive to such migration, inland establishment of this species may be limited according to the existing connectivity between marine and non-marine environments. Due to a lack of information on introductions and impacts, the certainty of assessment is low. The overall risk assessment category is uncertain.
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Uncertain Risk
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