During the XX century, overfishing on adults and above all immature sturgeons was another important cause of the decline of the wild stock of "A. naccarii". Despite it is now a protected species, illegal fishing by poachers is presently one of the main threat in the Po basin (for example, [https://www.affaritaliani.it/cronache/bracconieri-romeni-condannati-ma-l-ecocidio-dei-fiumi-italiani-continua-590411.html],[https://www.polesine24.it/rovigo/2018/06/19/gallery/bracconaggio-nel-po-11-denunciati-una-tonnellata-di-pesce-sequestrata-28305/]), particularly harmful when smaller fish are taken before they have reached maturity and reproduced at least once. Illegal capture with giant lift nets placed close to the estuaries can be a big threat, as well as commercial fishing in the sea and lagoons.