* Been around since the dinosaurs, 175 million years ago * Old; Can live to be over 100 years old * Large; grows to over 6 m in length and up to 1800 lbs it is the largest fresh water fish in British Columbia. * Endangered, very few left, less than 400 adults * Genetically distinct; no other species are the same * Very slow to reproduce. Females start spawning between age 20 to 30, and every 5-10 years after maturity

Long snout with up to four barbels Rows of sharp bony “scutes” Special tail – similar to a shark Cartilage, no bony skeleton Flattened head Mouth protrudes

Flattened head

Long snout with up to four barbels

Mouth protrudes

Cartilage, no bony skeleton

Rows of sharp bony “scutes”

Special tail – similar to a shark

Stegosaurus; Jurassic period mya Ichthyosaur; Triassic period mya Liopieurodon ;Ichthyosaur 240 million years ago

* Sturgeon is 6m (20ft), and weighs up to 800kg (1800lb). * Male Moose are 3m (10ft), and weighs up to 600kg (1320lbs) * Hippopotamus is 3.3m (11ft long), and weighs up to kg (3, lbs)

* Population ageing, few young fish (juveniles) * Endangered as per the Species at Risk Act (SARA) * Now fully protected, it is against the law to have a sturgeon or any sturgeon parts (2007) * May become extinct within the next twenty years

* Human Impact * Habitat altered * Bottom structure altered * Kenny Dam 1950’s * Few young fish remain * Global climate

* This year we caught 33 juvenile sturgeon. * 20 wild sturgeon * 4 wild recaptures * 9 hatchery released