S 2089119th CongressIn Committee

Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act

Introduced: Jun 17, 2025

Environment & Climate

Standard Summary

Comprehensive overview in 1-2 paragraphs

The Sturgeon Conservation and Sustainability Act would amend the Endangered Species Act (ESA) to create a special exemption for sturgeon that are held in captivity or in controlled environments. Specifically, it would exclude such sturgeon and their progeny from certain prohibitions and federal agency duties under the ESA until they are intentionally returned to a wild state. To qualify for this exemption, holders must demonstrate that the sturgeon or their progeny meet the defined category and must keep inventories and records that the Secretary may require, with the goal of avoiding unnecessary duplication with other regulations. Once the sturgeon or their progeny are released back into the wild, the exemption would no longer apply.

Key Points

1Creates a new exemption in Section 9(b) of the ESA for sturgeon held in captivity or controlled environments, delaying certain ESA prohibitions and protections until the fish are intentionally returned to the wild.
2Applies to sturgeon farmed and legally held in captivity or a controlled environment as of enactment, and to their progeny, until they are released back into the wild.
3Requires any person holding such sturgeon or progeny to demonstrate eligibility for the exemption and to maintain inventories, documentation, and records as the Secretary may require by regulation.
4The record-keeping and documentation requirements must be reasonably tailored and should not unnecessarily duplicate other rules and regulations under the ESA.
5The exemption ends when the sturgeon or progeny are intentionally returned to a wild state, at which point standard ESA protections would apply again.

Impact Areas

Primary group/area affected: Sturgeon farming and facilities holding sturgeon or their progeny in captivity or controlled environments; regulatory agencies (Secretary and related agencies) responsible for implementing the exemption and required records.Secondary group/area affected: The broader sturgeon conservation community, including researchers and conservation organizations, as well as stakeholders in the aquaculture and seafood industries.Additional impacts: Potential changes in compliance costs and administrative burden for captive-sturgeon operations due to required inventories and records; possible implications for how captivity-based stock is managed relative to wild-sturgeon protections; implications for conservation strategies if the exemption affects perceived protections for captive-origin stocks.

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