April 19, 2010
Contact: Karen Parker, 386-758-0525

Gulf sturgeon are beginning their annual migration back into the Suwannee River during April.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters to slow down and be aware these fish have started jumping.

Two people were injured in accidental collisions with jumping sturgeon during 2009.

"Just one person getting hurt is too many," said Maj. Lee Beach, regional law enforcement commander for the FWC's North Central Region, based in Lake City.  "We want people to be aware the sturgeon are returning, and the risk of injury to boaters does exist."
In 2006, FWC officials began working on a public awareness campaign to alert boaters to the risks of jumping sturgeon.

"We have posted signs at each boat ramp along the Suwannee, explaining the risk of impacts with these fish," Beach said.  "We will be checking those boat ramps to ensure the signs are still in place, and our officers will be on water patrol during this period and into the summer months in a continued effort to educate boaters on this issue."

What's the best course of action for avoiding a collision?

"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," Beach said.  "The FWC also recommends that all boaters wear their life jackets."

The Suwannee River appears to support the largest viable population of Gulf sturgeon.  Biologists estimate the annual population at 10,000-14,000 fish, averaging approximately 40 pounds each.  Adult fish spend eight to nine months each year in the river spawning and three to four of the coolest months in Gulf waters.  Sturgeon tend to congregate in deeper and cooler waters with moderate currents and sandy and rocky bottoms.

Biologists are unsure why sturgeon jump.  Theories include that the fish jump to communicate or as a dominance display.

"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," Beach said.

Gulf sturgeon can get quite big, exceeding 8 feet and 200 pounds.

"They have five rows of rock-hard scutes along their sides, back and belly.  When sturgeon and boaters collide, the results can be devastating," Beach said.

State and federal laws protect sturgeon, just like bald eagles, panthers and sea turtles.

"These fish can't be harvested," Beach said.

To report sturgeon collisions, call 888-404-FWCC (3922).

"If anyone is involved in an incident with a jumping sturgeon, please report it to the FWC. With the data received, we can get a better overall view of where the fish are jumping and get the word out to the public," Beach said.

For more information about the Gulf sturgeon, go to http://research.myfwc.com and click on "Freshwater."

Source: http://myfwc.com/NEWSROOM/10/northcentral/News_10_NC_SturgeonReturn.htm