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Abstract
This paper is an attempt to delineate the causes for the dramatic decline of the most part of European sturgeon species and the recovery measures taken. Overfishing, damming, pollution, poaching, water pumping, and dredging are the main quoted causes for the decline of sturgeon populations. 2 to 6 causes are cited simultaneously. Ranking the causes is mostly impossible. Various measures were taken to regulate the fisheries; among them were size limits, restricted catching periods, quotas, no measures at all, and restricted catching areas which accounted for 50%, 50%, 21%, 21% and 14%, respectively. Efficiency of police control, fines, fish-passes, and stocking are reported. Some explanation to apparent contradictions between biological knowledge and sturgeon status are given. There are suggestions in: trade control, ex situ conservation, fisheries' biology and/or population management, and the increasing relative weight of sturgeon fisheries.