Whereas lake sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) are some of the largest North American freshwater fishes and can live for 150 years or longer;

Whereas lake sturgeon are considered living fossils, as their lineage dates back to the time of dinosaurs, making them among the oldest fish species still in existence;

Whereas lake sturgeon are slow to reproduce as they may not spawn until they are at least 10 to 30 years old, and they only spawn every 4 years on average;

Whereas lake sturgeon are found across the Great Lakes, the Northeastern United States, and Southeastern Canada;

Whereas lake sturgeon are bottom-dwelling fish that require extensive areas of shallow water to feed on a wide variety of organisms;

Whereas historical overfishing, invasive species, and habitat degradation have caused declines in the population of local lake sturgeon;

Whereas many States list lake sturgeon as an endangered, threatened, or otherwise protected species;

Whereas lake sturgeon serve an important role as an indicator of an ecosystem's health;

Whereas lake sturgeon attract the attention of the public because of their large size and prehistoric body;

Whereas many Federal agencies, States, Tribes, and local communities are collaborating on lake sturgeon management programs that are reestablishing healthy lake sturgeon populations; and

Whereas lake sturgeon have cultural importance for many Indigenous communities, representing a traditional food source: Now, therefore, be it