51813_Sturgeon biodioversity an.PDF

was implemented in 1989. Paddlefish in the Tennes-

see River are considered to be ‘very reduced in

numbers’. Overharvest and habitat alterations are

considered main threats.

Arkansas (sport and commercial fisheries, classified

as sport/commercial, status stable)

All populations in major river systems of the state

are regarded as self-sustaining. Arkansas currently

utilizes seasonal restrictions on the upper White

River and border waters to protect mature females

from commercial harvest. Commercial fishermen

are also restricted by a 76 cm eye-to-fork-of-tail

length limit from fall until late spring as additional

wa, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Virginia now pro-
hibit commercial harvests (Table 2). Alabama,
Louisiana, and West Virginia now consider paddle-
fish as a species of special concern and Virginia clas-
sifies them as threatened. Some states currently use
quotas and length limits, while others utilize creel
limits or protected zones to regulate their sport har-
vests. Some of the more important changes in classi-
fication and status of paddlefish stocks since 1983
are as follows:

Alabama (no sport or commercial fisheries, classi-
fied as special concern, status stable/declining)
A no harvest regulation (sport and commercial)

Table 2. Type of fishery allowed in all states containing paddlefish for 1994. compared to 1983, and current stocking programs.^1

State Sport fishery Commercial fishery Stocking program

19832 1994 19832 1994 1994

Alabama Yes No Yes No No

Arkansas Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Illinois Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Indiana Yes Yes^3 No No No

Iowa Yes Yes Yes No No

Kansas Yes Yes No No Yes

Kentucky Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Louisiana No No Yes No Yes

Maryland No No No No No

Minnesota No No No No No

Mississippi Yes Yes Yes Yes No

Missouri Yes Yes Yes Yes^4 Yes

Montana Yes Yes No No No

Nebraska Yes Yes^5 No No No

New York No No No No No

North Carolina No No No No No

North Dakota Yes Yes No No No

Ohio No No No No No

Oklahoma Yes Yes Yes No Yes

Pennsylvania No No No No Yes

South Dakota Yes Yes^6 No No Yes

Tennessee Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes

Texas No No No No Yes

Virginia Yes No Yes No No

West Virginia Yes No No No Yes

Wisconsin No No No No No

(^1) Paddlefish are considered to be extirpated from Maryland, New York, North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
(^2) From Gengerke (1986).
(^3) Paddlefish may be taken only by hook and line. Snagging is not a legal method of take.
(^4) Commercial fishing only allowed on Mississippi and lower St. Francis rivers.
(^5) Share tailwater fishery (1600-fish quota) below Gavins Point Dam with South Dakota.
(^6) Share tailwater fishery (1600-fish quota) below Gavins Point Dam with Nebraska.