http://www.heraldandnews.com/articles/2004/06/22/news/community_news/cit4.txt

Scientists plan study of sturgeon

June 22, 2004

By DYLAN DARLING

Federal scientists plan to take another look at the status of the green sturgeon in the Klamath River and are asking for information about the ancient fish from the public.

The new study will decide whether the fish needs to be listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act and comes as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Oregon Natural Resources Council, the Environmental Protection Information Center and the Center for Biological Diversity last year.

With the federal district court-ordered study, the scientists want to figure out the range of the green sturgeon in the river and its population.

"We'll be reviewing all of the information," said Jim Lecky, spokesman for the National Marine Fisheries Service.

He said the study should be in by late next fall or the end of next year.

Wendell Wood, ONRC Southern Oregon Field representative, said the groups are concerned that the breeding area of the fish is shrinking and they could be moving toward extinction.

"That is largely the basis of concern for this species," Wood said.

Information about the sturgeon needs to be submitted to the Marine Fisheries Service by Aug. 17. It should be sent to the Assistant Regional Administrator, Protected Resources division, Southwest Region, NMFS, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4200, Long Beach, CA 90802 or e-mailed to Green.Sturgeon.Comments@noaa.gov.

For more information, call Craig Wingert, of the Marine Fisheries Service, at (562) 980-4115.