Ecological Risk Screening Summary - Siberian Sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) - Uncertain Risk

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.

Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii) is a species of sturgeon native to Siberian rivers draining to the Kara, Laptev and East Siberian seas. It is most abundant in the Ob, Yenisei and Lena rivers. Valued for their roe and meat, commercial fishing caused native populations to sharply decline during the 20th century. In 1998, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) listed A. baerii as endangered. Despite their endangered status, numerous non-native occurrences have been reported in European and Asian countries. These introductions are likely due to escape from aquaculture facilities, especially during flooding events, and aquarium releases. Even though there are established populations outside of its native range the history of invasiveness is classified as Data Deficient since there are no documented impacts of introductions. The overall climate match for A. baerii within the contiguous United States is High. Areas of high match were mainly found in the northern Great Plains, with some small areas in the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains, and around Puget Sound. The certainty of assessment is low because of the lack of actual impacts of introductions and a lack of georeferenced points in the species native range. The overall risk assessment category is Uncertain.