Common Name/s: Sturgeon

Scientific Name/s: There are 27 different species of sturgeon, all belonging to the genus Acipenser.

Range and Habitat: Sturgeon live in salt water seas and spawn in estuaries or fresh water rivers.

Status: Endangered

The greatest threat to the sturgeon is consumer demand for its flesh, eggs, and swim bladder. The meat can be sold fresh, pickled, or smoked, while the swim bladder is used to produce isinglass gelatin, an industrial product. The eggs are used for most of the world's caviar, a culinary delicacy and one the world's oldest and most prized luxury item, and are consequently the biggest threat to the sturgeon.