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Sturgeon returning to Suwannee River
March 29, 2007
Contact: Karen Parker (386) 758-0525
The Gulf sturgeon are returning to the Suwannee
River, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) reminds boaters to slow down and be aware these fish are
jumping.
Eight people were injured by direct sturgeon
collisions during 2006. Two other boaters suffered injuries when
they swerved to avoid a jumping sturgeon and hit a bridge
support in the river.
“We certainly don’t want a repeat of last year,”
said Maj. Bruce Hamlin, regional commander for FWC’s North
Central Region, based in Lake City. “Just one person getting
hurt is too many. We want people to be aware that sturgeon are
returning, and the risk of injury to boaters does exist.”
FWC officers who patrol the Suwannee River
regularly have reported the big fish are jumping now. As the
weather warms up and more people get out on the river, the risk
of injury from colliding with the sturgeon increases.
Last year, FWC officials began working on a
public awareness campaign to alert boaters to the risks of
jumping sturgeon.
“We
posted signs along the
Suwannee at each boat ramp, explaining the risk of impacts with
these fish,” Hamlin said. “We recommend boaters reduce their
speed to reduce the risk of impact and to give people more time
to react if they do encounter a jumping sturgeon. We will be
checking each boat ramp on the Suwannee this month to ensure all
the signs are still in place.”
In the Suwannee River, which appears to support
the most viable population of Gulf sturgeon, biologists estimate
the annual population at between 2,250 and 3,000 fish, averaging
about 40 pounds. Adult fish spend eight to nine months each year
in the river spawning and three to four of the coolest months in
Gulf waters.
Adult sturgeon frequent areas near the mouths of
springs during the summer months. They tend to congregate in
deeper waters with moderate currents and sand and rocky bottoms.
Biologists are unsure why sturgeon jump.
According to Jerry Krummrich, regional
freshwater fish biologist, “I have seen these collisions
referred to as ‘attacks.’ However, these fish are in no way
‘attacking’ when they jump. They are simply doing what they have
been doing for millions of years…jumping. They aren’t targeting
the boaters.”
Gulf sturgeon can grow to 8 feet in length and
weigh up to 200 pounds. Sturgeon are a protected species and may
not be harvested.
To report sturgeon collisions, call
1-888-404-FWCC (3922).
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