Sturgeon the world over are at risk of extinction because of over-harvesting, illegal poaching and habitat destruction. Now scientists from Asia, Europe and the United States have formed the World Sturgeon Conservation Society to try to save the ancient fish.

Led by Serge Doroshov, a UC Davis professor of animal science and an international sturgeon authority, researchers from Germany, Italy, France, Russia, China and Iran established the society in mid-March at the International Sturgeon Symposium.

Doroshov's co-organizers were Fred Binkowski, a senior scientist at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and Ron Bruch, a sturgeon biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

The symposium, held in Wisconsin, was co-sponsored by UC Davis.

"As living fossils, sturgeon have enormous value for science and biodiversity on our planet," said Doroshov. "We hope this new society will enhance international collaboration in research, protection and aquaculture of sturgeon."

Sturgeon are among the oldest fishes in the world, swimming in lakes and rivers since dinosaurs roamed the shores. The fish are prized for their delicate flesh and world-famous caviar. Once they were abundant in lakes and rivers throughout the Northern Hemisphere.