were made. All species which are found in the 27 Member States of the EU were re-assessed by the primary assessors and evaluators for their regional conservation status in 2010 via email exchange.
Following the review workshops and the uncertainty discussion, the data were edited, and outstanding questions were resolved through communications with the experts and members of relevant Species Survival Commission Specialist Groups (e.g. Salmon Specialist Group).
As part of these assessments the population trend status for each species was considered. Due to a lack of centralised monitoring data for most species of freshwater fish, this status is largely qualitatively and not quantitatively determined, with a high level of uncertainty. This is reflected in the high number of species with an Unknown population trend.
Consistency in the use of IUCN Criteria was checked by IUCN staff from the IUCN Red List Unit. The resulting finalised IUCN Red List assessments are a product of scientific consensus concerning species status and are backed by relevant literature and data sources.
Species in the spotlight The fate of the last Acipenser sturio Acipenser sturio is one of the most threatened European fish species, strictly protected at the national level in most countries, at the EU level and by a number of international agreements. Its protection depends largely on the efficiency and attention of those in charge of enforcing fisheries laws. It is interesting to record the fate of the last sturgeons ... Acipenser sturio (CR) is one of the most threatened fish species in Europe. Photo © J. Freyhof.
... in the Black Sea: The last known individual of A. sturio in the Black Sea basin was caught by fishermen in 1991 in Georgia. It was recognized by scientists who tried to transport it alive to a research aquarium. On their way, they were stopped by a policeman, the fish was ‘confiscated’ and barbecued.
... in Belgium: A juvenile A. sturio tagged in the Gironde estuary (France) was caught on 12 February 2007 off the Belgian coast. It was released shortly after catch. Hopefully, this animal will once return to the Gironde to reproduce. We hope this will be the fate of the sturgeons in future.
... in the Mediterranean Sea: The last known individual of A. sturio in the Mediterranean Sea basin was caught by fishermen in 1991 in Italy and sold at a local market.
… in France: At present, the last wild A. sturio are occuring in the Gironde, a large estuary in southwestern France. The population is still declining and the last recorded natural spawning occurred in 1994. By-catch and unintentional kills are still major threats. However, in 2007, French biologists managed to develop a system for artificial reproduction. Once this was in place, experimental stockings have been undertaken in France and Germany. There is now a reasonable hope that the species could survive as a “ranched” species, into a future where the fishing pressure in European marine water will be back to a sustainable level that would even allow the survival of long-living species.
... in Spain: The last known individual of A. sturio on the Iberian Atlantic coast was caught by fishermen in 1992 close to the Guadalquivir estuary, close to Doñana National Park and sold to a local restaurant. The chef took a last picture and the fish was then served to his guests. ... in Germany: The last A. sturio caught in the North Sea was reportedly caught in 1993 and was landed illegally in Germany. It was sold on the fish market and eaten in the canteen of the Ministry of Interior.
Further reading: Kottelat and Freyhof 2007.
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