Filling Conservation Gaps For Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser desotoi) Using Specialized Acoustic Transmitters

Author

Morgan Segrest, University of Southern MississippiFollow

Date of Award

12-2025

Degree Type

Masters Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

School

Ocean Science and Engineering

Committee Chair

Dr. Michael Andres

Committee Chair School

Ocean Science and Engineering

Committee Member 2

Dr. Wei Wu

Committee Member 2 School

Ocean Science and Engineering

Committee Member 3

Dr. Mark Peterson

Committee Member 3 School

Ocean Science and Engineering

Abstract

Gulf Sturgeon (GS; Acipenser desotoi) are a federally threatened, anadromous fish found in seven river systems along the northern Gulf of Mexico. While not managed as distinct population segments, GS are divided into western (WPU) and eastern (EPU) populations based on the location of their natal river in relation to the Mobile Bay. Acoustic telemetry has been a common method of monitoring GS; however, due to data from this methodology being presence-absence, inferences must be made on why GS are where they are and what they are experiencing there. Recent innovations in acoustic transmitters, such as InnovaSea^TM V16AT temperature and accelerometer transmitters (AT-Tags), have allowed for an increased ability to understand GS movement and behavior. Through supplementing water monitoring equipment with AT-Tags, study is the first to describe the thermal regimes GS experience within the WPU systems and found that conditions within the Pearl and Pascagoula rivers’ spawning and summer holding reaches are warmer comparatively to far eastern river counterparts. Additionally, this study attempted to relate activity of GS from AT-Tags to presumed behaviors in overwintering habitat. Although specific behaviors could not be parsed out, observed zonal residency events were consistent with trends in recent studies, showing potential for accelerometer transmitters in future studies. This thesis demonstrates how advancements in acoustic telemetry can support inferences on GS behavior by providing more fine-scale data and can provide a foundation for future research aimed at more targeted conservation management of GS.

Copyright

Morgan Segrest, 2025

Recommended Citation

Segrest, Morgan, "Filling Conservation Gaps For Gulf Sturgeon (Acipenser desotoi) Using Specialized Acoustic Transmitters" (2025). Master's Theses. 1154.
https://aquila.usm.edu/masters_theses/1154