The 10th International Symposium on Sturgeon (ISS10)

The planet is currently experiencing a sixth mass extinction event, primarily driven by anthropogenic activities, which poses severe threats to global fish biodiversity. Despite extensive conservation initiatives—including stock enhancement, population surveys, and habitat restoration—the decline of sturgeon populations worldwide remains largely unabated. Within China, which harbors eight native sturgeon species, the Chinese paddlefish（Psephurus gladius）has been declared extinct since the onset of the 21st century, and the Yangtze sturgeon（Acipenser dabryanus） has experienced a complete cessation of natural reproduction in the wild. Similarly, the Chinese sturgeon (Acipenser sinensis), an endemic anadromous species, has exhibited no evidence of successful natural reproduction for eight consecutive years. This species is now classified as critically endangered and faces imminent risk of extinction in its natural habitat. This escalating crisis necessitates a critical reevaluation of existing conservation paradigms and underscores the urgent need for innovative strategies focused on germplasm resource protection. The effective preservation of the Chinese sturgeon’s germplasm has thus emerged as a pivotal challenge. This report systematically examines the historical and current status of germplasm conservation efforts for the Chinese sturgeon, proposes an integrated preservation strategy encompassing in situ, ex situ, and off-site methods, and delineates priority actions and future research directions to enhance conservation outcomes.
 

Chinese Sturgeon，,Germplasm Conservation: