INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON WETLANDS AND SUSTAINABILITY 2007

SITUATION OF STURGEON FISHES ALONG IRANIAN COASTS OF THE CASPIAN

SEA WITH EMPHASIS ON PERSIAN STURGEON (ACIPENSER PERSICUS
BORODIN, 1897)
Arash Javanshir , Afshin Danekar and Gholamreza Rafii
Natural Sciences Faculty
Fisheries and Environment Department
University of Tehran
arashjavanshir@hotmail.com
Abstract

In this study the actual state of Persian sturgeon Acipenser persicus is discussed.
Borodine (1897) represented it as a valid and distinct species. But Berg in 1933
counts it as a sub-species of Russian sturgeon Acipenser guldenstadtii persicus.
Putilina in her two papers of 1981 and 1983 separated A. guldenstadtii and A.
persicus utilizing morhometric and meristic characteristics. With progression of
technology and instruments Keyvan (1987) distinguished two species, utilizing Iso-
electrofocussing method and extraction of caviar proteins. The separation of two
valid species was also confirmed by Rob et al (1996) and Gharii (2001). Based on
registered data it is captured before 1952 by hook, after then by cotton gillnet and
after 1964 by Capron gillnets. During 1920 – 30 its essential capture area was limited
to the west of south Caspian Sea coasts, especially in Anzali and Sefidrood sector;
but following to decline of stocks its actual capture zone is in the Turkmen sector in
the east of the Caspian sea. After decline of fisheries in the period of 1920 to 1950,
its population seems to be stabilized after 1990. This is in major part a consequence
of artificial fish releasing adapted by Iranian fisheries organization after 1975. During
the period of 1958 – 1991 we haven’t had any clear data on capture of this species
because of discussion on valid or sub species. Also all of the three species of A.
nudiventris, persicus and guldenstadtii were registered as Acetre in Iranian fisheries.
Following to its decline fishing efforts has decreased also from 240000 to 140000.
Actually its situation despite of a soft decline from 1990 until now is the best survived
species among the other four sturgeons captured in south Caspian coasts. Its part in
occasionally beach sine by catch is increasing (R2 = 0,97). Its part in beach sine by
catch compared to other four species is the only which doesn’t show abrupt
 INTERNATIONAL SEMINAR ON WETLANDS AND SUSTAINABILITY 2007

decrease; and in trawl fishing is also the main fish captured. Distribution of
population structure in south and middle Caspian sea shows also that juveniles and
little fishes below 50 cm are distributed along Iranian coasts whilst fishes up to 80 cm
(Iranian commercial size) are distributed along middle Caspian sea area despite the
huge quantity of juveniles released each year in Iranian coasts. This can be because
of south region’s soft sediments and oligotrophic situation of south Caspian Sea
waters. The composition of sex in Persian sturgeon in south Caspian Sea is
favorable and up to 60 % of the populations are females. This population is the only
chance to be protected among other Caspian sturgeons and need to give more
attention.

Key words: Persian Sturgeon, Caspian Sea, Population Dynamics, Acipenser

Persicus,