Sterlet Sterlet The sterlet ("Acipenser ruthenus") is a relatively small species of sturgeon from Eurasia native to large rivers that flow into the Black Sea, Azov Sea, and Caspian Sea, as well as rivers in Siberia as far east as Yenisei. Populations migrating between fresh and salt water (anadromous) have been extirpated. Due to overfishing (for its flesh, caviar, and isinglass), pollution, and dams, the sterlet has declined throughout its native range and is considered vulnerable by the IUCN. Restocking projects are ongoing, and it has been introduced to some regions outside its native range, but the latter have generally not
USS Sterlet (SS-392) in reserve on 18 September 1948 and berthed at Mare Island, California. Just under two years later, on 7 August 1950, "Sterlet" was ordered reactivated. She was recommissioned at Mare Island on 26 August 1950 with Lieutenant Commander George W. Kittredge in command. On 25 September, she headed for San Diego where she conducted a month of training. In December, she shifted to Long Beach, California, where she became one of the stars in the motion picture "Submarine Command" with William Holden and William Bendix. "Sterlet" resumed operations along the West Coast early in 1951 and that employment continued until