The 10th International Symposium on Sturgeon (ISS10)

The Yangtze River Ten-year Fishing Ban, now at its mid-stage, has significantly aided the recovery of the critically endangered Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus). Key achievements include:(1)Artificial Breeding and Population Growth: Captive breeding programs expanded the population from under 80 individuals in the 1990s to over 4,000 multi-generation individuals, with annual breeding capacity exceeding 4 million；(2)Stock Enhancement and Rewilding: Since 2007, cumulative releases include 1,400 parent sturgeons, 10,000 sub-adults, and 2 million juveniles. Rewilding techniques increased catch per unit effort (CPUE) by over 100-fold, enabling the species to reappear in historical distribution areas；(3) Progress in Spawning Habitat Restoration: by analyzing the functional maintenance mechanism of the natural spawning grounds of the Yangtze sturgeon, technologies for creating and restoring spawning habitats have been broken through. From 2023 to 2025, released parent sturgeons successfully achieved reproduction in wild, with exceeding 1.2 million eggs layed and hatched out consequently, identifying an effective pathway to restore the natural reproduction of the Yangtze sturgeon.Persistent Challenges: Habitat fragmentation from dam construction and waterway dredging remains a major obstacle, disrupting ecological connectivity and natural population self-sustainability.Recommendations: Establish natural reproduction demonstration zones, conduct in-situ spawning ground restoration, and improve ecological scheduling of cascade hydropower stations.The IUCN's "extinct in the wild" assessment may soon be revised, reflecting progress toward restoring natural reproduction and offering a model for global riverine conservation.

Fishing ban; Yangtze sturgeon; Habitat restoration; Stock enhancement; Population rebuilding;