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Gallatin,
Tenn. (June 9, 2008) – When Tennessee Wildlife
Resources Agency officials were informed a recreational
fisherman had hooked a lake sturgeon in Kentucky
Lake, they were somewhat skeptical. After all, the
only lake sturgeon in the Tennessee River system
were ones reintroduced by the Tennessee Aquarium
into the French Broad River near Knoxville some 550
miles from the reported catch. The previous long
distance sturgeon report was confirmed in Lake Guntersville
in Alabama. |
TWRA officials and the Tennessee Aquarium
were very excited when a second fisherman had reported catching
a lake sturgeon in Kentucky Lake. This time a biologist from
TWRA was able to confirm the catch with the fisherman who
remembered his lake sturgeon touch tank experience at the
Tennessee Aquarium. “We
are very excited about these catches because it tells us
the fish are thriving throughout the entire river drainage.
And if they can make it to Kentucky Lake, then one day some
of these fish may find their way into the Mississippi River,” said
Dr. Anna George, the Tennessee Aquarium’s chief research
scientist. In addition to the three long-distance swimmers
at Kentucky Lake, fishermen continue to report hooking the
fish up and down the Tennessee River between Knoxville and
Chattanooga.
Over 60,000 lake sturgeon have been reintroduced in the
Tennessee River watershed since the Tennessee Aquarium and
working partners began the Saving the Sturgeon program
in 1998. “Lake sturgeon are a very important part
of a healthy ecosystem. Bald eagles and osprey are known
to eat these fish as well as a number of other fish like
bass. So not only are we restoring a single species, we are
also taking a big step towards restoring the entire Tennessee
River ecosystem,” said Dr. George.
The Saving the Sturgeon program
will begin a pilot project on the Cumberland River near Gallatin,
TN. Dr. George will transport a truckload of lake sturgeon
fingerlings, hatched in spring 2007, from the Tennessee Aquarium’s
Research Institute in Cohutta, Georgia to TWRA partners in
Middle Tennessee. Half of the 600 fish will be held at TWRA’s
fish hatchery for further growth. The remaining 300 sturgeon
will be introduced into the Cumberland River near the Gallatin
TVA Steam Plant. “TWRA has chosen this release site
because it has large rocks, which are similar habitat to
what the sturgeon have been observed to use in Wisconsin
where these fish are hatched,” Dr. George said.
With
a little luck, these six to twelve-inch lake sturgeon will
flourish in the Cumberland River as well as their program
counterparts have in the Tennessee River. “We are starting
small with this pilot, but we will have more releases in
this area as we see successes,” Dr. George said.
Lake
Sturgeon are endangered in the state of Tennessee, so it
is illegal to keep them. If you do catch one,
please be careful with the fish—avoid holding them
by their tail and remember that they need to be in the water
to breathe! Fishermen can report a sturgeon by calling
the toll-free number for their TWRA regional office, or the
Fisheries Management Division at 615-781-6575. Fisherman
who call in with some basic information (estimated weight
and length, depth of catch and location), will get a Lake
Sturgeon Certificate of Appreciation.
Anyone wishing to help
support the Saving the Sturgeon program
may call (423) 267-FISH. Tax-deductible contributions
ensure continued growth for the Tennessee Aquarium’s
conservation and research efforts. The Tennessee Aquarium
is a non-profit institution.
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The Tennessee Aquarium inspires wonder and
appreciation for the natural world. Admission is $19.95 per
adult and $12.95 per child, ages 3-12. Each ticket purchased
helps support Aquarium conservation programs. The IMAX® 3D
Theater is next door to the Aquarium. Ticket prices are
$8.50 per adult and $6.00 per child. Aquarium/IMAX combo
tickets are $25.95 for adults and $17.95 for children.
Advance tickets may be purchased online at www.tnaqua.org
or by phone at 1-800-262-0695. The Aquarium, located on
the banks of the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, is a non-profit
organization. Open every day except Thanksgiving and Christmas,
the Aquarium and IMAX are accessible to people with disabilities.
Members enjoy unlimited visits and other benefits. Call
267-FISH to join. |
