Sturgeon are remarkable creatures that can grow to the size of a small car and live to be over 60 years of age, yet they are facing serious challenges in river systems. Often seen caught from venues like the Fraser River in Canada, they were once a native fish to the UK too but a rapid decline saw the Atlantic and European sturgeon all but wiped out from our shores.
The sturgeon that are present in UK stillwaters and rivers like the Trent are unlikely to be wild fish and are likely to be from the ornamental trade, introduced after outgrowing aquarium and ponds, but the European and Atlantic sturgeon that return from the sea to spawn are on the brink of extinction.
So, what led to this decline? Back in the 1800s, overfishing for the table and prized caviar took a heavy toll. Additionally, some people mistakenly thought they were catching salmon, leading to more accidental captures. Although the sturgeon is protected by UK legislation under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the sturgeons face obstacles and barriers, like weirs in our rivers, preventing them from reaching their spawning grounds.
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As they don’t reproduce until they are much older, recovering from population declines becomes a tough challenge.
Organisations like the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM), Severn Rivers Trust, Wildlife and Wetlands Trust (WWT), and Blue Marine Foundation are dedicated to restoring sturgeon populations. They are part of the UK Sturgeon Alliance, a group working to support these fish. With their expertise in animal reintroduction, they play a crucial role in the effort.
Now, here’s where you, the angler, come into play! If you happen to catch a sturgeon in one of our rivers(which is quite rare), it’s essential to document it. Snap some photos, note the location, and notify the UK Sturgeon Alliance by visiting their website (www.savethesturgeon.com) and filling out some details. This information is vital for scientists to track the presence and status of these fish.
By reporting your catches, you contribute to solving the mystery of the disappearing sturgeon and help protect these extraordinary creatures for future generations.
IF YOU CATCH A RIVER STURGEON THEN DOCUMENT AND PHOTOGRAPH THE CATCH AND VISIT SAVETHESTURGEON.COM TO SHARE YOUR DATA.
