CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) -South Carolina is home to two federally endangered fish: the Atlantic sturgeon and the shortnose sturgeon. The South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) is requesting public assistance to protect these species.

If you see a stranded or dead sturgeon, they ask to report it via the SCDNR website. Each report allows scientists to collect valuable data, monitor the health of the species, track recovery efforts, and identify ongoing threats.

The history of these species being fished in the Lowcountry highlights their population vulnerability.

In the mid to late 1800s, sturgeon were fished aggressively along the eastern U.S. coast for their eggs, which were turned into prized caviar. This was also known as the "Black Gold Rush," according to SCDNR. The hi

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