Movements of shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Delaware River

Abstract

Data from sonic tracking during the period 1983–1987 enabled us to define the areas used and the seasonal pattern of movement by adult shortnose sturgeon (Acipenser brevirostrum) in the Delaware River. Tagged adults (n=28) ranged from 544 mm to 871 mm fork length and 1,510 g to 7,125 g. Twenty-six tags were carried for 7–225 d. Most of the tagged sturgeon were relocated in the tidal portion of the river. Sturgeon that overwintered in the upper tidal river near Trenton, New Jersey, began traveling upstream in late March to the nontidal river above Trenton where spawning presumably occurred from late March through April. After spawning, sturgeon traveled rapidly downstream into the tidal portion of the river near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where they remained through the end of May. Before the end of June, most sturgeon returned upstream and re-entered the upper tidal river near Trenton, where most apparently remained for the summer and winter. In general, the same pattern was apparent for both sexes. As a result of the intensive use of the river between Philadelphia to just above Trenton, any alterations or additional insults to the river should consider the impact on this endangered species.