Adopt-a-Sturgeon

PARTNERS

Chesapeake Bay sturgeon restoration is built upon a unique partnership between local watermen, universities and state and federal resource managers. This partnership brings sturgeon from the wild into the laboratory setting in hopes of increasing their numbers.

While countless people are helping bring back sturgeon, here’s a little about some of the key advocates leading the charge.

	Dr. Andy Lazur Sturgeon General & Aquaculture Specialist University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science Dr. Lazur leads the research team at the UMCES Horn Point Laboratory. At six-foot, five inches tall, only one sturgeon in the lab is larger than Andy.
	Erin Markin Den Mother & Hatchery Manager University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science What Erin lacks in height, she makes up for in numbers. Erin works with Dr. Lazur and is responsible for the day-to-day care of all sturgeon at the Horn Point Laboratory.
	Brian Richardson Sturgeon Surgeon & Fisheries Biologist Maryland Department of Natural Resources Brian leads the restoration program at the Maryland Department of Natural Resources. He also works to transport fish from local watermen when they capture a wild sturgeon in the Bay.
	Steve Minkkinen U.S Fish and Wildlife Service Fisheries Biologist Steve works to restore populations of anadromous fish in the Chesapeake Bay. In addition to sturgeon, he plays a large role in helping increase American shad and American ells populations as well.

Mid Atlantic Sturgeon Restoration Partnership

The objective of the Partnership is to
leverage varied expertise and resources to generate and communicate information that improves the welfare of sturgeon and guides future restoration efforts. Partners include

Delaware Division of Fisheries and Wildlife

Delaware State University

James River Keeper Association

Mirant Power

Maryland Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Service

US Fish and Wildlife Service - Maryland office

Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences

Virginia Sea Grant