The Extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon - Research Paper Example

Extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon A Chinese sturgeon is a type of endangered fish of the family Acipenseridae order Acipenseriformes. Historically, this kind of fish is found in China and Japan. Named a National treasure, the Chinese sturgeon is strictly protected by the China Government. It dates back to the Cretaceous period and can range between 200 and 500 cm in body length and a weight of between 200 and 500 kilograms. An adult sturgeon can grow up to 5m in length and a body weight of up to 450kgs. The sturgeon dwells along the Coasts of China’s Eastern areas. For propagation it migrates back up rivers upon Sexual maturity. This is considered the longest migration of up to 3200kms up the Yangtze River (Meadows). Although the females can carry an excess of a million eggs in one cycle, their reproductive capacity in each cycle is very poor. They breed only three to four times in their lifetime with a survival rate to hatching at only 1% (Zhuang). As earlier stated the Chinese sturgeon is largely dispersed along the main streams of the Yangtze River and the coastal areas of Qiantang, Minjiang and also the Pearl River. The Chinese sturgeons feed on most aquatic animals for example the aquatic insects, larvae, diatoms and the humic substances. The Chinese sturgeon is highly sensitive to increased noise on the river which is caused by the growing river traffic and are generally vulnerable to death and injury by boat propellers (Chen). The Chinese sturgeon has a habit of upstream migration; they migrate up rivers for reproduction once they reach sexual maturity. Most of the sturgeons will spawn in the fresh waters and then migrate to the salt waters to mature and breed their young. The primitive nature of the Chinese sturgeon sets it apart as a great academic interest in taxonomy and biology. It is for this reason that the Chinese government has devised ways to breed and preserve this endangered species. It is classified as China’s most protected Animals. In 1982 the Chinese Government built a Museum in the Chinese sturgeon institution which is used for artificial breeding procedures to try and preserve the endangered Chinese sturgeon, The Chinese Sturgeon Museum is located in a small island known as Xiaoxita in the Huangbo River within the district of Yiling. This reserve is one of Chinas several conservation programs that is geared towards the preservation of this endangered species (Birstein V). To also reduce the threats against the Chinese sturgeons, the Government of china took the initiative of closing commercial fishing since the year 1983 only allowing a small number that is less than 40 individuals to be caught for scientific propagation. Apart from this move, the Yangtze River Fisheries institute artificially spawned this species in 1983. In the period of 1983 to 2007, 9 million Chinese sturgeon were released into the Yangtze River to help increase the population of the endangered Chinese sturgeon (Birstein V).In the 1970s, this species spawned a total of 10000 individuals and after the construction of the Gezhouba dam in the year 1981, the spawned numbers reduced to 2176 individuals. This was a drastic drop in the population of the Chinese sturgeon that eventually called for the preservation programs to try and revive the population of this endangered species not only in the Yangtze River but also other rivers in which the Chinese sturgeon is found in China (Ke). The Chinese sturgeon is an anadromous species meaning it spends part of its life in salt waters and the other part returning to the rivers to breed. This unique way of life is what makes it vulnerable to all sorts of human activities that end up causing its extinction. Today in China, the adult sturgeon fish are captured on their spawning grounds and are then used for artificial breeding of the species. This species is the reared in captivity to protect them from all the dangers in the wild and also to be used for stocking in the future. These are the major steps taken by the Chinese Government to try and preserve the existence of this endangered species that is vastly reducing (Fu). Causes of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon The extinction of the Chinese sturgeon is propagated by the various human activities that disrupt the breeding processes of the sturgeon and also cause an imbalance in its natural habitat. This extinction has been caused by many factors, which not only fall in the economic and environmental categories but also other factors. Reproductive ability is very important to every species. It helps to increase the population of that species and also to increase the span or the spread of population all through the various habitats of that particular species. The Chinese sturgeon species population is greatly affected by their reproductive ability. This species is known for is low reproductive ability. It only breeds three to four times every year (Birstein V). This limited number of breeding cycles is one of the major factors that has hindered the growth in population of the Chinese sturgeon. The limited breeding cycles coupled up with the many environmental dangers that affect the species all lead to the extinction of this species. The scales lean more towards the environmental dangers to extinction rather than the reproductive cycles. Apart from the limited reproductive cycles, the survival rate to hatching is also very low. Placed at only 1% survival rate, the chances for survival of the sturgeon’s young ones is very low. As much as the females can carry an excess of up to a million eggs in one cycle, only 1% of these eggs will survive to maturity (Yue). Apart from the fish’s reproductive ability, habitat alterations and changes in water conditions has also affected the species greatly. The building of the Gezhouba Dam in 1981 created an imbalance in the habitat of the fish. The construction of this dam blocked the migratory routes of the fish and thus making it impossible for the fish to reach the spawning grounds in the upper areas of the river. At the moment, the fish is left with only one spawning ground which is situated below the Gezhouba dam (Ke). The construction of three gorges about 40kms from the Gezhouba Dam in 2003 has also played a role in changing the hydrological regime in the river; lowering the levels of the waters in the river in autumn and winter. This has affected the temperatures of the water and thus creating an imbalance in the habitat of the fish. This change in temperature and blockage of the migratory routes has changed the ecosystem in the river and thus causing a negative impact on the breeding patterns of the fish. Blockage of the migratory routes prevents the fish from accessing the spawning grounds and thus forcing the fish to spawn in areas that for not provide a conducive environment for spawning. This further reduces the chances and the survival rate of the hatchlings and thus reducing the numbers of the fish drastically. The change in spawning grounds may also expose the fish to predatory dangers. The areas they end up spawning in may be full of predators that might not only feed on the adults but also the hatchlings and the eggs of the fish. With the fact that the Chinese sturgeon only breeds three to four times every year, a change in migratory patterns and spawning grounds thus multiply the extinction levels of the species since the reproductive ability is further hampered by the changes in environment caused by the construction of the dam and other human activities related to the dam and its environment. Pollution from the chemicals used the dam construction ended up contaminating the habitat of the fish. This pollution caused a huge number of the fish to die and thus reducing greatly the number of the fish. This pollution also contaminated the spawning grounds of the fish and thus hindering the spawning of the fish and thus leading to reduction of the fish population. A contaminated spawning ground might cause the destruction of fertilized eggs and also the death of the fish young ones which ultimately leads to the extinction of the Sturgeon species. Chinese economic growth has also played a major role in the extinction of the Sturgeon. For any developing country, space for development and the means to development are important factors. These two factors pose a problem on extinction of the Sturgeon species. For China to develop there was need for industrialization. With industrialization, environmental pollution is inevitable. For instance, along the Yangtze River, there are a huge number of Chemical Factories. These chemical factories dump chemical wastes in the rivers with end up contaminating the natural habitat of the Chinese sturgeons. Chemical wastes, causes death to the fish since toxins from the chemicals dumped in the waters are taken in by the fish and end up proving harmful to the fish’s internal biological systems. Some of these chemicals are known to affect the reproductive ability of the fish while others end up destroying the fish’s internal organs in general. With these the reproductive ability is further reduced due to the chemical impact, this reduces the ability of the fish to reproduce. The number of eggs in the females reduces and further reducing the survival rate reproduction. Other chemicals as stated earlier, destroys the fish internal organs in general and thus killing the fish which hence reduces the population of the fish. The pollution does not only contaminate the fish’s habitat but also the spawning grounds for the fish. Due to pollution, the spawning grounds have been contaminated and thus destroying the environment of the spawning grounds. A contaminated spawning ground leads to the destruction of the fertilized eggs hence reducing the survival rate of the hatchlings. This in turn causes a reduction in the population of the fish and thus a great impact on the extinction of the fish (Meadows). Fresh waters which is an aboard for the Chinese Sturgeon species is highly susceptible to contamination from chemicals from the factories. It is easily acidified by the chemicals. An acidic environment is not conducive for the growth and the reproduction of the Chinese Sturgeon species. This ends up affecting the survival rate of the species, which in turn reduces the population of the fish which thus leads to the extinction of the Sturgeon species. As much as industrialization was a key factor in the economic development of China, it proved futile for the existence of the fish. Over the years, a huge number of pollution cases were reported along the Yangtze River. Scientists and research later proved that the pollution had caused the near extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon species due to the contamination of its habitat by the chemicals dumped in the river by the factories. Scientists and researchers monitoring the fish in China towards the end of 2014 reported absence of natural breeding among the fish and this is for the second consecutive year. This breeding difficulties have been caused by the staggering and imbalanced ratio between the male and the female species of the fish coupled up with the changes in the ecology of the Yangtze River. Thus, policies were put in place to try and control the pollution and contamination from the industries. Apart from this, samples of the species were taken for studies and also for artificial spawning of the Chinese Sturgeon species, all this aimed at helping to increase the population of the species. Towards this the Government of China through its scientists has released artificially bred sturgeon fish 57 times. This has amounted to 3000 being released in the recent years. Up to now since 1984 researchers have released an estimated number of Chines Sturgeons at 5 million fish. Also river decontamination programs were initiated to try and detoxify the Yangtze River ecosystem towards creating a conducive environment for the spawning, growth, and survival of the Chinese Sturgeon species. A survey from winter in 2014 showed no sturgeon eggs being found in the Yangtze River which is the main water body the species inhabits. Even worse, a search for young fish swimming down the river which began in August the same year proved futile. The population of the Chinese Sturgeon in the Yangtze River is being threatened by the reduced water quality in the river which is caused by the construction of the above named dam mainly through cutting of spawning areas for the fish and also pollution. A report issued by the Chinese Academy of fisheries and sciences states that only about 100 of the Sturgeon species remain in the highly polluted Yangtze River. This is a drastic change compared to about 50 to 60 years ago (Luo). Over fishing has also posed a major problem for the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon species. As much as fishing is an important economic activity, there are some practices and methods of fishing that have played a major role in the existence of the Chinese sturgeon species. Trawling is a fishing method that is mostly used on the Yangtze River. This type of fishing is indiscriminative. By this method, even the youngest Chinese sturgeons are captured and therefore the future population of the fish is drastically reduced and thus putting in more muscle in the extinction scourge (Xiao) Fishermen do not regulate the amount of fish they get since to them it’s an economic activity; a source of income thus without putting into consideration the population of the Chinese Sturgeon, they end up almost depleting the population of the species. Over fishing has proved to be one of the main causes of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon. The sturgeon is caught to be used for food in hotels and also homes. Due to their long reproductive cycle, sensitivity to environmental conditions and migratory patterns the Chinese Sturgeon is vulnerable to over fishing and poaching. Despite the efforts by the Chinese Government to try and regulate fishing and curb poaching of the sturgeon; there are still those who ignore the policies out in place in order to help preserve the species from extinction. Up to date, the Chinese Sturgeon still faces extinction through illegal fishing and also poaching. Apart from fishing methods that jeopardize the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon, there is also the issue of the wrong kinds of fishing nets being used by the fishermen. Sometimes fishermen may venture into fishing with no intention of capturing the sturgeon but the kind of fishing nets they are using lets them down. There have been many reported cases of the sturgeon being entangled in farmers’ fishing nets and thus ending up hurt or worse. A number of Chinese sturgeon species have been reported to have been rescued from the brink of death after being entangled in fishing nets. These nets break their fins and make it hard for them to swim as they should. Without the proper ability to swim, the fish is exposed to various dangers including predation. It will also not be able to freely move and this may hinder its migratory movements which in turn will dent there ability and reproductive patterns. Due to fishing, both legal and illegal trade around the fish came into play. A trade in the sturgeon’s unfertilized eggs cropped up. The ‘caviar’ as they are called is used as a food delicacy for trade in hotels and restaurants. This trade was vastly developed to the extent of exportation with international legal trade in 1998 totaling up to 220 tonnes of caviar. This caviar apart from being sold locally to be used in local hotels and homes; it is being exported and sold to neighboring countries that allow the consumption of the caviar. Just as there was legal trade in caviar, there was also the existence of illegal trade of caviar. In the same period of 1998 to 1999, the Government of China reported the seizure of over 20 tonnes of Caviar that was being illegally sold and smuggled out of the country duty and tax free. As much as the legal trade of the sturgeon’s caviar was a boost to the Chinese economy, it played a major role in the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon. In order to get the caviar, fishing had to be done which meant the capture of even the mature fish. Also, acquisition of the sturgeon’s unfertilized eggs meant a decrease in the survival rate of the hatchings which in turn reduced the population of the Chinese Sturgeon in the Yangtze River. On the other hand, the illegal trade in caviar posed a much bigger challenge since it was uncontrolled. Unlike the legal trade which had restrictions on the amount of caviar to be acquired, the illegal trade did not apply any restrictions which meant that the acquisition of the caviar was done with no regards on the quantity being acquired thus a larger number of unfertilized sturgeon eggs was acquired and with this large number came a huge reduction in the population of the Chinese sturgeon which in turn catalyzed the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon species (Luo). Due to the heavy fishing practices along the Yangtze River, there is a huge boat traffic in the river which poses another danger to the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon. Many of the fish have been reported to be hurt and crushed by the propellers of the boats. This is propagated by the huge size of the fish. It’s not only fishing boats that cause this predicament but also private and tour boats which cruise the river every day. Though it’s in rare cases. Boat propellers have been reported to kill a huge number of the Chinese Sturgeon and thus reducing the population of the fish in the wild. As much as the Chinese Government is intensifying efforts to try and preserve the Chinese Sturgeon species from extinction, it is still facing challenges from various fronts as discussed above. Issues of pollution from the large scale industrialization along the Yangtze River has proven to be the major cause of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon. Chemical waste being dumped in the river alter the Rivers ecosystem by changing the water Ph. Levels and generally reducing the quality of the water and thus destroying the fish habitat. The dam along the river has also blocked the fish migratory routes and thus affecting the reproduction cycle of the fish. Over fishing has also posed a major problem for the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon. These two and many other issues all combine to accelerate the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon species in the Yangtze River. Effects of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon. Due to the threat of the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon, various steps and policies have been put into place to try and preserve the existence of the species. One of the major effects of this extinction is launching of programs on studies and research that are aimed at salvaging the existence of the species in its natural habitat. A museum was built in 1982 to try and preserve the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon. The Chinese Sturgeon Museum which is part of the Chinese Sturgeon institution of China, studied and researched on the use of artificial breeding techniques to try and repopulate the species in its natural habitat (Zhu). In addition to the museum, the Yangtze River Fisheries Research Institute was one agency that was on the fore front in the breeding of the Chinese Sturgeon in captivity and restoring the river sturgeon population. This repopulation program has seen a huge number of the Chinese sturgeon species being bred in captivity and released back into the wild to help repopulate the sturgeon species in the Yangtze. All these efforts to try and salvage the species came as the effect of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon species that called for the repopulation of the species in the River. Apart from the launching of research and study programs, the Government of China has also created policies to regulate the fishing of the fish (Birstein V). This owing to the problem of overfishing that was accelerating the extinction of the sturgeon species. These policies have helped to curb the issue of over fishing and also illegal trade in the fish and its products both locally and internationally (Giesy). Another effect of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon is the creation and implementation of policies to curb the problem of pollution. These policies have seen the prosecution of companies that dump harmful chemicals in the River (Luo). These are the chemicals that cause and ecological imbalance in the river and thus destroying the habitat of the Chinese Sturgeon. Such policies were implemented after it was determined that pollution and water contamination in the Yangtze River is one of the major causes of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon (Xiao). As much as there is need for research and study on how to preserve the Sturgeon species, this research is being hampered by the drastic reduction in the population of the Chinese sturgeon. Samples needed for the study hence have become scares and thus creating a major challenge and hindrance in the study (Luo). Sturgeon population reduction, as a consequence of all the causes of the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon, has made the research in ways of preserving the endangered species very difficult. Scientists are forced to reduce and cut down on the samples they acquire and this makes comparison of results and findings very difficult (Chen). Another effect of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon is the development and launching of institutes that offer studies about the endangered species and also educate the public on ways that would help prevent the complete extinction of this species of fish (Giesy). For example, The Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences, was formed to join other institutes in the fight against the extinction of the Sturgeon species. It has been up to the task in research and studies that are geared towards the preservation of the Chinese Sturgeon. For instance, in 2013, the Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences released a report on the population of the sturgeons and the impact of various factors on the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon (Birstein V). The Chinese Sturgeon institution of China was also formed to counteract the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon. This institute has played a major role in research and repopulation of the Chinese Sturgeon in the Natural Wild. All these institutions come as the effect of the threat of extinction of the Chinese sturgeon; formed to try and address the problem of Sturgeon extinction (Birstein V). In the aquatic wild, species depend on each other for survival. They may depend on each other for food i.e. predation, for reproduction and also the general survival of the fish in question. Wastes for the sturgeon are an important ingredient in the formation of planktons which are a delicacy for fish. A reduction in the population of the vastly affects the ecosystem of the river and thus destroying the habitat for other species of fish. Apart from aquatic dependency, some human beings also depend on the fish for food (Birstein V). The unfertilized eggs of the fish otherwise known as caviar is a common delicacy in parts around the Yangtze River and also other places that provide habitat for the fish. It was consumed locally by individual fishermen, domestic consumption. Apart from domestic consumption, the caviar was also sold in restaurants that formed their business around the existence of the fish have also been affected due to lack of raw materials caused by the reduced population of the fish (Luo). Due to the extinction of the Sturgeon species, sanctions against the fishing of the Chinese Sturgeon were put in place to regulate both the illegal and the legal trade of the fish. Though on a slight margin, this had an impact on the economy of China since some of the caviar was being exported to neighboring countries in form of export goods for foreign exchange (Luo). Fishermen who depended on the existence of the fish for their daily earnings also faced a major problem since their only source of livelihood was cut short. These sanctions were placed to help curb the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon species. The sanctions came in form of government policies against over fishing and the pollution of the Sturgeon’s habitat (Yue). Another effect of the extinction of the Chinese sturgeon was the reduction in the number of tours that ventured on the rivers to see this species of fish. With the reduction in the population of the fish, the number of people visiting the river for a sight of the fish reduced and thus income from tourism was lost. This weakening of the tourism scale that was connected to the existence of the Chinese Sturgeon was also coupled up with the crippling of scientific research due to a reduction in the number of samples for comparison (Zhang).Apart from policies on over fishing, another effect of the extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon was the implementation of policies on the pollution of the Water habitats of the Sturgeon in the Yangtze River. These policies have seen some industries along the Yangtze River being shut down due to dumping toxic chemicals in the Yangtze River which ends up killing the already endangered species of Fish (Xiao). Business activities that hurt the Sturgeon Species in China. Various human activities have been seen to be problematic on the existence of the Chinese sturgeon. Firstly, fishing is an economic activity that is widely practiced in China and in particular along the Yangtze River. However, it proved problematic when the reduction in the population of the Sturgeon species was linked to over fishing which was mostly done illegally (Giesy). Over fishing was done so as to acquire Caviar which is considered a delicacy in many parts along the Yangtze River (Giesy). Other than over fishing, the business of tours and tourism which involved the use of engine boats also poses a problem as the Sturgeon’s size makes it vulnerable to contact with the boat propellers which have been reported to kill a large number of fish. (Xiao). The third type of business that is considered the major cause of the extinction is the industrial business. Many industries that have been built along the Yangtze River have been known to pollute the river by dumping Chemical wastes in the river. This thus destroys the habitat of the fish by contaminating the waters and in turn reducing the population of the already endangered species (Xiao). The Yangtze River basin is endowed with some of the highest levels of biodiversity; mountains and also dense forests and waterways created by seasonal flooding. This biodiversity plays a major role in helping maintain the ecosystem of the Yangtze River. An illegal trade of tree and wood products has brought about illegal felling of trees along the Yangtze River. This business has caused an imbalance in the ecosystem of the Yangtze River in various ways (Luo). Machinery used in the cutting down of trees end up polluting the river by the exhaust fumes they produce and also the leakage of oil and fuel from the machines. These have contaminated the ecosystem of the Yangtze River which is home for the Chinese Sturgeon (Luo). This pollution has a negative impact on the reproduction and the general existence of the fish. Other than illegal felling of trees, there has also been reports of poaching in the forests along the Yangtze River (Luo). Poachers kill animals in the forest and sometimes, in order to escape forest authorities, they dump bodies of dead animals in the river. With time these animals rot and end up contaminating the river which in turn destroys the habitat of the Chinese Sturgeon. This contamination comes with other negative impacts on the reproduction and the survival of the species (Luo). Lessons to be learnt from the Loss of the Sturgeons. From the points stated and discussed above it is very clear that every species is important in its own particular way and thus all species should be protected and preserved. From the extinction and the loss of the Sturgeons it’s learnt that the cause of species extinction is mostly Human activity mostly the economic activities that they participate in. By the threat of extinction of the Chinese Sturgeons, new ways and methods of spawning have been discovered which helps in the preservation of other species (Zhuang). This new methods of artificial spawning is being applied in the preservation of other species that are under the threat of extinction. This knowledge of new discoveries on artificial spawning has proved very useful (Zhu). The extinction and loss of the Sturgeons in China has taught other countries on the importance of preservation of all species of animals, the particular causes of species extinction and this gives the scope on how to prevent extinction of species, the guide to policies to be made and also the general impact of species extinction on humans and sometimes the economy of countries (Birstein V). Extinction of the Chinese Sturgeon species of fish has also brought about new insights and knowledge in forestry. Reforestation has been encouraged in areas that had lost their tree cover along the Yangtze River. Also, research on the particular species to be planted along the river has given new knowledge on species of trees that help to maintain and clean up the ecosystem of the river that was initially contaminated by the various human activities along the Yangtze River (Meadows). Furthermore, lessons arising from research on the preservation of the sturgeon species has also shade light on new methods of using the vegetation along the Yangtze River to grow and develop food sources for the Sturgeon species (Meadows). Particular species of trees have been known to have roots which harbor bacteria and organisms that can be fed on by the young ones of the sturgeon. Such trees are used in the reforestation of the deforested areas along the Yangtze River. These particular species of trees are grown to help provide a more habitable environment for the sturgeon species (Zhang). Works Cited Birstein V, Bemis W and Waldman J. "The Threatened Status of the Acipenseriform species." Environmental Biology Of Fishes (1997): 427-435. Chen, X. Biological Characteristics and Current situation of resources of the Acipenseriformes Species. Beijing: Ocean Publishing House, 2007. Fu, Z. "Artificial propagation of Acipenser Sinensis." Fresh water Fisheries (1985): 1-5. Giesy, J.P. Peng, H. Wan, Y. Malformations of the Endangered Chinese Sturgeon and its Causal Agent. Beijing: PNAS, 2009. Ke, F.E. "Effects of Gezhouba Dam On Chinese Sturgeons." Freshwater Fisheries (1984): 16-19. Luo, J. Yang, W.H. Zhuang, P. "Protection of Juvenile Chinese Sturgeon in The Yangtze Estuary." The proceedings of the First Conference on National Parks and Protected Areas in East Asia. Ed. Yang. W.H. Beijing, 1994. Meadows, Dwayne. "Status Review Report of Five Foreign Sturgeons." National Marine Fisheries Services (2014): 78. Xiao, H. Chang, J.B. "Evaluation on status of artificial propagation and releasing of Chinese Sturgeon in the Yngtze River." Acta Hydrobiologica Sinica 6 (1999): 572-576. Yue, P.Q and Chen Y.Y. China red data book of endangered animals and fishes. Beijing: Scinence Press, 1998. Zhang, H. "Abiotic Environment of natural reproduction of Chinese Sturgeon." Graduate School of Huazhong Agriculture University (2009): 50-62. Zhu, B. Zhou, F. "Analysis of genetic Variation in the Chinese Sturgeon; Estimating the contribution of artificially produced larvae in a wild population." Journal of Applied Ichthyology (2002): 301-306. Zhuang, P, Yang, W. Zhou, R. "Biology, fisheries and conservation of sturgeon and paddlefish in China." Zhuang, P. Wei, Q. Environmental Biology of Fishes. Beijing, 1997. 241-255. Read More