From 1994 to 1999, the Province of British Columbia coordinated an intensive study of white sturgeon in the Nechako River. The study came to an unwelcome conclusion - the Nechako white sturgeon are in a critical state of decline. Unless something is done, and done soon, the great creatures will likely go extinct.
With so many stakeholders involved along the entire length of the Nechako River, it was imperative all interested parties gather together, to begin working as a team in recovery planning efforts. This was the beginning of the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative. The NWSRI is ultimately responsible for identifying the reasons why white sturgeon are no longer successfully spawning and surviving in the Nechako watershed, and for the design and implementation of habitat protection, restoration and management options.