1. Nechako White Sturgeon Presented by: Christina Ciesielski, B.Sc. BIT Carrier Sekani Tribal Council (CSTC) Senior Fisheries Technician

2. Why is the white sturgeon special? Been around since the dinosaurs, 175 million years ago Been around since the dinosaurs, 175 million years ago Old; Can live to be over 100 years old Old; Can live to be over 100 years old Large; grows to over 6 metres in length and up to 1800 lbs Large; grows to over 6 metres in length and up to 1800 lbs Endangered, Very few left, less than 600 Endangered, Very few left, less than 600

3. What is a White Sturgeon?

4. What is a Nechako River White Sturgeon? Rows of sharp bony “scutes” “Heterocercal” tail – upper lobe larger than lower Special tail – similar to a shark Rows of sharp bony “scutes” Cartilage, no bony skeleton Long snout with up to four barbels Flattened head

7. Sturgeon Facts Acipenser montanus Acipenser is an old world name meaning sturgeon and transmontanus meaning beyond the mountains. Acipenser montanus Acipenser is an old world name meaning sturgeon and transmontanus meaning beyond the mountains. White sturgeon evolved 290 million yrs ago, and are the longest surviving fish in BC White sturgeon evolved 290 million yrs ago, and are the longest surviving fish in BC Sturgeon live to be very old, sometimes over 100 yrs Sturgeon live to be very old, sometimes over 100 yrs Largest freshwater fish in North America, known to reach 1,800 lbs Largest freshwater fish in North America, known to reach 1,800 lbs Very slow to reproduce. Females start spawning between age 20 to 30, and every 5-10 years after. Very slow to reproduce. Females start spawning between age 20 to 30, and every 5-10 years after.

8. Endangered Species As few as 571 sturgeon left As few as 571 sturgeon left Population ageing, few young fish (juveniles) Population ageing, few young fish (juveniles) Endangered as per the Species at Risk Act (SARA) Endangered as per the Species at Risk Act (SARA) Now fully protected, it is against the law to have any sturgeon parts or sturgeon (2007) Now fully protected, it is against the law to have any sturgeon parts or sturgeon (2007)

9. Why are the Sturgeon endangered? Habitat altered Habitat altered –Kenny Dam 1950’s –Bottom structure altered Few young fish remain Few young fish remain Human impact Human impact Global climate Global climate

10. What is being done to help the Sturgeon? Scientific Research Scientific Research –Why are they not doing well? Hatchery Hatchery –Genetic diversity Juvenile release Juvenile release –Increase population –Public awareness Protected status Protected status –Illegal to catch Education Education –No gill netting

11. Sturgeon pilot hatchery 2 nd year 2 nd year Plan for permanent facility Plan for permanent facility –Larger sturgeon better survival –Public education

12. Juvenile Sturgeon School Release Event October 10-11 th, 2007 Riverside Park, Vanderhoof

13. Release 2007

14. Juveniles are checked for PIT tag

15. PIT tag reader

16. Taking sturgeon to the river

17. Releasing a juvenile