The use of optical trawl technology to view endangered species: Observations of Atlantic Sturgeon in the Gulf of Maine

Objective This project aimed to present a novel method for collecting data on Atlantic Sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus in the open waters of the Gulf of Maine using a minimally invasive technique and to highlight the potential for surveying protected species. Methods In the winter and spring of 2025, a stratified random optical trawl survey was conducted in the western Gulf of Maine. Video footage from the survey was reviewed manually to identify and record occurrences of Atlantic Sturgeon and their location, depth, and temperature. Results In total, 44 Atlantic Sturgeon were observed in the video trawl surveys during 2025, with an aggregation of 42 individuals occurring approximately 5 km west of Herring Cove in Provincetown, Massachusetts. The aggregation occurred within a 30-min span across approximately 2.75 km of mud and silt bottom at depths ranging from 46 to 52 m. Conclusions This study provides information on an Atlantic Sturgeon aggregation from an optical trawl survey, demonstrating the potential for nonextractive survey methods to collect data on endangered species without violating their protections.