American Paddlefish

American paddleﬁsh are a primitive ﬁsh that have inhabited North America since the Cretaceous period 65 million years ago. The American Paddleﬁsh inhabits large, slow‐ﬂowing, freshwater rivers such as the Mississippi River and its tributaries. Paddleﬁsh are a long‐lived species. The American paddlefish is classified as endangered, threatened or as a species of concern in several states within its historical range. Paddleﬁsh were once the most important commercial species in the Mississippi River Valley. Unfortunately, U.S. paddleﬁsh population began to decline shortly after commercial harvest of paddleﬁsh peaked around 1900. Currently, only a few southern states still allow the commercial harvest of paddleﬁsh.
In recent years, U.S. paddleﬁsh resources have experienced an exponential increase in harvest pressure resulting from the collapse of the Beluga sturgeon populations in Eastern Europe. This recent pressure has resulted in the illegal poaching and harvest of paddleﬁsh because of the high prices that can be generated by the selling of their eggs.
As a result, the American paddleﬁsh was aﬀorded international protection by being listed as a species under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service eﬀorts have played a key role in the conservation, restoration and preservation of this species. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Fish and Wildlife Conservation Oﬃces and the National Fish Hatchery System participate in the monitoring and stocking of paddleﬁsh within U. S. waters. The American paddlefish is a migratory species. These fish are native to the Mississippi River Basin and have been known to move more than 2000 miles in a river system. They also have the ability to move through brackish water where freshwater and salt water mix together.
Category:Fish
Category:Wildlife
Category:Oklahoma Animals
Category:American Animals
Category:Living Fossils