Action group formed to return sturgeon to UK rivers within next decade

December 7, 2020 Guest User

A THOUSAND years ago sturgeon were frequent visitors to our rivers, before overfishing and habitat destruction all but wiped them out. However, now an action group has been formed with the goal of restoring the species to UK waters.

The UK Sturgeon Alliance is a partnership between a number of environmental organisations including the Blue Marine Foundation (BLUE), Institute of Fisheries Management (IFM) and Severn Rivers Trust.

Within the next decade, the Alliance will be working to ensure UK rivers and estuaries are in a fit state to accommodate the critically-endangered species and enable it to migrate up our rivers once again.

Could the mighty sturgeon be back in UK rivers?

THE DECLINE OF STURGEON

According to Rory Moore, BLUE’S head of international Projects, the sturgeon’s decline in UK waters can be traced right back to the Saxon invasion.

He said:

“There’s archaeological evidence that suggests sturgeon strongholds were first plundered by Saxon fish traps over 1,000 years ago, when the species was prized for its meat and caviar – as it still is today. This overfishing was an early sign of what lay ahead for sturgeon and other fish that travel from saltwater to freshwater to spawn, such as shad and salmon.”

Rory also revealed how the sturgeon’s slow growth rate may have also attributed to the species’ decline.

“They are large, slow-growing fish that require 10- 20 years to reach sexual maturity,” he added.
“They reproduce only periodically, laying thousands of delicate eggs on upriver gravel beds where the water is cool and oxygen content high.
“Given these traits, it’s remarkable that these fish are still battling for survival in a world of intensive agriculture, overfishing, water insecurity and changing climate, but we have a chance to make a difference.”

A WIDER CONSERVATION

To help gain a better understanding of how they can safeguard the species, the Alliance is working alongside conservationists in France, Spain and Germany who have undertaken similar restoration programmes. Rory said:

“The last known spawning ecosystem for European sturgeon is the Garonne river and Gironde Estuary in southwest France, and it’s here that conservationists have started restoring the breeding and feeding sites for sturgeon, releasing tagged, genetically diverse fingerlings and improving water quality.”

Over the last couple of years trawlermen in southern England have been catching young tagged French sturgeon in their nets, which has prompted the Alliance to take action.

“Although it is unlikely that sturgeon have spawned in UK rivers for many years, it’s becoming clear that sturgeon originating in European rivers are again migrating to the UK to look for suitable feeding estuaries and spawning rivers,” Rory added.

IMPROVING ACCESS

While the Alliance’s work is still in the early stages, it’s already finding ways to improve access on rivers for migrating sturgeon. As the fish attempt to navigate their way through estuaries that eventually lead to rivers such as the Trent, Thames and Severn, man-made barriers like weirs and locks will prevent them from reaching the gravel beds which they need to spawn.

Unlocking the Severn, a project set up by the Severn Rivers Trust, has already helped the rare Twaite Shad navigate the river by building fish passes that bypass these obstructions, and Mike Morris of the Trust believes sturgeon could benefit from the project too. He told us:

“The project is opening access for all migratory species to their historic spawning grounds. The design of the passes should allow for sturgeon to migrate upriver alongside a host of other species. It’s a wonderful legacy of a project that is focussed on protecting the UK’s population of one species, the Twaite Shad, but will also provide benefits to other iconic species.”

(Credit - Unlocking The Severn) Fish passes like this will help sturgeon migrate up rivers

HOW YOU CAN HELP

As the Sturgeon Alliance’s efforts build momentum, anglers are being asked to report any catches of the species to the Institute of Fisheries Management. The IFM’s Steve Colclough said:

“Anglers and trawlermen have an important role to play. If you catch a sturgeon of any kind, it’s important to take quality pictures of the flank of the fish and note whether it’s tagged or not, before releasing it. Informing the IFM where sturgeon are being caught will help the Alliance identify likely spawning areas and non-native strains of sturgeon,” he said.

If you catch a sturgeon, email the details directly to Steve at srcifm@gmail.com

The Uk Sturgeon Alliance plan to bring the species back to UK river systems

A ROD-BENDING HISTORY

In the 18th and 19th Centuries, sturgeon were often from the rivers Severn, Wye, Usk, Thames, Medway, Towy, Teme, Tay, Forth, Tweed, Trent, Dee and Annan. A 320lb sturgeon is reported to have overturned two coracles and broke three nets during its capture on the River Towy in June 1896, but the largest officially recorded fish ever caught on rod and line from a UK river was a 414lb sturgeon, banked in 1903 from the River Severn.

This sturgeon was captured by salmon fisherman Evan E Davies from the River Severn in the early 20th century (Credit - Dave Griffiths)

THE UK STURGEON ALLIANCE’S GOALS:

Ensure that UK rivers and estuaries are in a fit state to accommodate critically endangered European sturgeon.
Restore suitable sturgeon spawning and feeding habitats.
Improve connectivity of estuary and river habitats to enable fish migration.
Prevent non-native sturgeon originating from the pet trade from escaping into the wild.
Increase public awareness of UK sturgeon, and explore ways under International Union for Conservation of Nature protocols to restore sturgeon numbers in the UK.

Enormous 100lb-plus sturgeon the perfect birthday gift - Aaron Lawther

October 13, 2020 Guest User

“This private lake I fish in Norfolk is stocked with a couple of sturgeon, so my brother Kiel and I decided to see if we could catch one for my 37th birthday. We targeted a gravel bar about two rodlengths out with roach livebaits but after a few hours we’d not had a single take, so we gave roach deadbaits a go instead.
“Within an hour of casting one out my rod tore off and I struck into this steam train of a fish which took off across the lake.
“This could only have been a sturgeon so I clung on for dear life, determined not to lose it as it swam all over the place.
“After an epic 30-minute battle this thing, which looked more like a dolphin than a fish, surfaced and Kiel managed to scoop it up.
“I couldn’t have asked for a better birthday present, to be honest!”

Aaron Lawther and his huge 134lb Norfolk sturgeon

Shock new hybrid fish species created

August 27, 2020 Guest User

SCIENTISTS were left stunned recently when they accidentally created a brand-new type of fish they have christened the sturddlefish!

According to researchers at Hungary’s National Agricultural Research and Innovation Centre, they had no intention of creating a new hybrid, but were keen to see if the critically endangered American paddlefish and Russian sturgeon would breed in captivity.

To their shock, hundreds of offspring were born, resulting in a new fish cross that has now grown to adulthood.

The fascinating story made us wonder which of our coarse fish could potentially hybridise and what the result would be?

The best example of a successful breeding practice in the UK coarse fishing world is, of course, the F1 – the result of crossing crucian carp with common carp.

Who knows? Maybe some time in the future we’ll see the real-life hybridisation of a perch and a pike, or a carp and a tench!

The sturdlefish. Half American paddlefish,half Russian sturgeon

YOUR top 10 catches of the week!

July 10, 2020 Guest User

WE receive so many catch reports here at Angling Times, that sometimes it is just impossible to fit them all in the magazine. We do, however, always love seeing and hearing of our readers top catches.

Here are some of the best fish we have been sent this week, some of which haven’t made the magazine but are still more than worth celebrating…

Remember to grab a copy of Angling Times every Tuesday, to read more of the latest big fish catches and exclusive Drennan Weekly Award winning specimens.

Shaun Markey nets four Trent doubles

A session on the River Trent in the pouring rain paid off hansomely for Shaun Markey. Casting a 5oz feeder and a Shrimp boilie to the middle of the river, he caught four barbel weighing 11lb, 12lb, 13lb and 15lb. Well worth getting soaked for!

One of four double figure Trent barbel for Shaun Markey

Shock River Soar sturgeon!

Jerry Botham had a rather large surprise recently, when on a trip to the River Soar in Sutton Bonington he caught this huge 39lb sturgeon. A new personal best and a very powerful fish.

Jerry Botham and his 39lb river sturgeon

River Can trout

The River Can in Chelmsford, Essex, produced this beautiful 5lb brown trout for Khan Emin. With the river slightly flooded, he used a big worm to catch the fish.

Light gear tames a big chub

“I had a lovely June the 16th. Trotting maggots on a size 16 Drennan Wide Gape hook, I caught this 5lb 1oz chub. It took a long time to land it on 4lb mainline and a 2lb hooklink. But eventually, with three people watching, I got it in the net and received a big round of applause. I felt like being on the England team!”

Casters fool big tidal barbel

Paul Hamshaw caught this 14lb 12oz barbel from a private stretch of the tidal Trent. The fish picked up Paul’s caster hookbait, fished over a bed of hemp, in the middle of a scorching hot day.

He told Angling Times:

“I've had four fifteen pound barbel but this was the hardest fight I've ever had from one”

Paul Hamshaw caught this Trent barbel on a boiling hot day

Trio of Norfolk perch

An awesome session on the River Bure in Norfolk resulted in a catch of three 2lb perch for Peter Savory. In just an hour of angling he caught stripeys weighing 2lb 7oz, 2lb 5oz and 2lb 3oz. A great start to the season.

Peter Savory and one of his River Bure perch

Big ghostie pinnacle of ten years angling

“I am absolutely buzzing with this fish. It is the best I have ever caught. I have been fishing for the past 10 years, started when I was 14 with my dad. It came at midday on a local carp lake”, said Adam Minto.

Adam Minto was made up with this beautiful big ghost carp

“You are never too old to have a pb!”

Nige Fox caught this 3lb rudd whilst fishing a North Yorkshire syndicate lake. He told Angling Times:

“This bettered my pb of 2lb 4oz, that I caught two weeks ago from the same venue.
“It took two hours to get the fish feeding. They liked double sweetcorn, fished over a bed of mixed pellets.
“I couldn't believe the size of the rudd when I slipped it into my landing net.
“It proved to be the only rudd of the session. But I also caught six carp between 4 & 6lb. But the rudd was most definitely a career highlight.
“I'm 64 years old, and live in Leeds, West Yorkshire. I started fishing when I was four years old.
“Just goes to show, you never are too old to have a pb!”

Big Severn barbel brace

Mark Wood caught not just one big River Severn barbel but two, for a stunning 31lb brace. Both were caught on legered luncheon meat in afternoon and evening sessions.

Urban barbel is a new best

Fishing the River Aire in Leeds City Centre, David Aldred connected with this 11lb 6oz barbel. A new personal best, David had to weigh the fish twice as he was in shock at how thick it was. He used Hinders Elipse pellets in various sizes to get the fish feeding.

We love seeing your captures so please keep sending them. Either by emailing newsdesk@anglingtimes.co.uk or sending us a message on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Sturgeon saved by four-year-old boy

June 1, 2020 Guest User

A FOUR-year-old boy has helped rescue a sturgeon from the River Arrow after he spotted it struggling to swim in shallow water.

Harrison noticed the sturgeon struggling in shallow water

Harrison Hart, his mum Amelia and her partner Jake were walking along the riverbank in Studley, Warks when he saw a large, shark-like fish moving slowly against the current.

“It was obviously stressed as the river was only a foot deep, so Jake called his brother Kurt to bring his fishing net down so we could help move it into deeper water,” Amelia tells us.
“When Kurt arrived, he told us he thought it was a Russian sturgeon.
“We got the fish out, took pictures to help with identification, then released it upstream in deep water where it swam away.”

Amelia later notified the EA, which is looking to retrieve the fish. It’s likely the sturgeon, which can reach 15ft, was put into the river by a fishkeeper after it grew too big for its pond or tank.

It’s likely the sturgeon, which can reach 15ft, was put into the river by a fishkeeper after it grew too big for its pond or tank.