The storm of the century (December 1999) and the incidental escape of siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baeri) into the Gironde estuary (SW of France): an original bioindicator for metal contamination

Abstract

During the 27-28 December 1999 hurricane, more than 5000 young Siberian sturgeons were accidentally introduced in the estuary, after the submersion of a fish farm (Sturgeon). They were aged 8 months at the time of their accidental escape. This species was not present in the estuary before this event. Between 2002 and 2003, 13 sturgeons were collected in the estuary and 12 were obtained from the fish farm. These fishes were coming from the same initial batch