The Atlantic sturgeon, Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus, a revered signature species of the Delaware River Estuary, is an age-old species that has inhabited the earth for more than 100 million years. The Atlantic sturgeon is an anadromous species, migrating from ocean and estuarine environments to rivers to spawn. Local Atlantic sturgeon populations spawn in the Delaware River. Juveniles remain in the system for 1-6 years, relying on the Delaware Bay habitats before moving to the Atlantic Ocean. Atlantic sturgeon mature at a late age and return to their natal river to spawn. They can live long, up to sixty years, and become quite large with record lengths and weights being 15 feet and 800 pounds, respectively.

A significant commercial fishery targeting sturgeon meats and roe, existed in the Delaware and other eastern United States estuaries in the late 1800s and early 1900s. However, the unique life history patterns of the Atlantic sturgeon have made it particularly vulnerable to human impacts—fishing pressure, incidental catches, ship strikes, and environmental degradation have led to a serious decline of the species along the East coast of the U.S. Currently the Atlantic sturgeon is listed as a species of concern and is undergoing review for Federal classification as an endangered or threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC), which is charged with the management of Atlantic sturgeon, has established a 20 to 40 year moratorium on harvests of the species. Though many studies have focused on Atlantic sturgeon, basic life history aspects of sturgeon populations in most Atlantic coastal estuaries remain poorly understood. There exists a pressing need for research to evaluate Atlantic sturgeon stock abundances and other important aspects relating to Atlantic sturgeon ecology and restoration.