Let’s dive into an exciting story from the Hudson River that has both environmentalists and fishing enthusiasts buzzing. The Hudson River Estuary Program fisheries staff recently caught a colossal Atlantic sturgeon, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of this iconic waterway.
The catch took place near Hyde Park, about 80 miles from New York City. The Atlantic sturgeon measured an impressive six feet in length and weighed approximately 220 pounds. This stunning find was shared by the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYS DEC) through a Facebook post that included some remarkable photos of the giant fish.
Before releasing the sturgeon back into the wild, the team took extensive measures to document their find. They measured and tagged the fish, took a fin sample for genetic analysis, and weighed it. Such detailed documentation helps scientists track and study these ancient creatures.
Atlantic sturgeons are the largest fish species in the Hudson River, and this particular specimen is a testament to the health and resilience of the river’s ecosystem. Amanda Higgs, a fisheries biologist with the Hudson and Delaware Marine Fisheries and the Hudson River Estuary Management Program, shared some insights with Fox News Digital.
In 2014, an estimated 450 individual sturgeons were in the Hudson River. A new population assessment is currently underway, with preliminary data showing positive trends.
Atlantic sturgeons typically spend most of the year in the ocean but return to the Hudson River during this time of year to spawn. This particular sturgeon, suspected to be a female that had not yet spawned, was caught under a National Marine Fisheries Service endangered species research permit.
Atlantic sturgeons can grow to be even larger, weighing up to 800 pounds and reaching lengths of up to 14 feet. These fish are characterized by their five rows of bony plates along their body and a tail reminiscent of a shark’s, with one side larger than the other.
The annual mission to track the Atlantic sturgeon population began in 2006 and is conducted over several weeks in May and June. This initiative helps monitor the trends in the sturgeon population and supports conservation efforts.
The Hudson River Estuary Program aims to conserve, restore, and promote enjoyment of the Hudson River and its valley. The program’s focus spans from the federal dam at Troy to the Verrazzano Narrows in New York City, including the upper New York-New Jersey harbor.
The NYS DEC collaborates with various groups to develop knowledgeable and effective stewards of the estuary, using a deep understanding of the river’s ecology as a foundation for its work. This collaborative effort ensures that the Hudson River remains a thriving habitat for remarkable species like the Atlantic sturgeon.
