Four individuals were needed to remove a sturgeon’s carcass from the shores of the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C., as part of ongoing incidents where multiple sturgeon have been found washed up recently. The large fish, measuring approximately 1.6 meters, was preserved for research led by the Tsawwassen First Nation to investigate sturgeon mortality and aid conservation endeavors. It is planned to reintroduce the sturgeon back into the river equipped with a tracking device as part of the study.
Described as ancient creatures dating back millions of years, sturgeon mortality events are causing concern among researchers, prompting inquiries into environmental changes affecting these fish. Reports have been received indicating an increase in sturgeon deaths this year along the waters of British Columbia, particularly in the lower Fraser River.
While the exact extent of the rise in sturgeon mortality is challenging to ascertain due to improvements in tracking and reporting procedures over time, the province has documented 71 deceased sturgeon since July, with the majority found in the lower Fraser River. Notably, 49 of these incidents occurred in the past four weeks alone, reflecting a surge compared to previous years.
White sturgeon, known for their size and long lifespan, hold cultural significance for First Nations communities who historically harvested them for sustenance and traditional practices. Despite the cessation of sturgeon harvesting decades ago, catch-and-release angling activities persist in the lower Fraser River, coinciding with recent findings of numerous dead sturgeon aligning with a temporary opening for sockeye salmon fishing.
Various factors contribute to sturgeon mortality, including the impacts of climate change on river temperatures and the lack of adequate thermal refuges for the fish. Propeller strikes from large vessels also pose a threat, evidenced by injuries observed on deceased sturgeon. The research team from Tsawwassen is actively responding to reports of dead sturgeon, aiming to collect carcasses for further analysis and telemetry tracking to understand their movements and potential stressors.
Efforts are underway to unravel the reasons behind sturgeon deaths and evaluate the accuracy of reported mortality rates by studying the fish’s habitats and stress levels. While natural factors such as diseases and warmer waters may play a role, investigations into other potential contributors are ongoing. Sturgeon protection under federal legislation underscores the importance of conservation measures for these endangered species, prompting collaborative efforts between various stakeholders to safeguard sturgeon populations in the Fraser River basin.