Recently There Have Been Numerous Dead Atlantic Sturgeon Found Along The Coast OF Delaware
There have been a lot of Atlantic sturgeon sightings recently, mostly dead ones washed up onto shore. Carcasses are usually found on beaches, and the edge of marshes. Many people do not know who to contact for these sightings, just send the sturgeon sighting information to DNREC. They have a web page for sturgeon sightings, dead or alive. They would like pictures as well.
DNREC … “To provide an interaction report please submit an Atlantic Sturgeon Report Form. For assistance with the form, or to submit photos, please e-mail the Fisheries Section, at Sturgeon@state.de.us or call 302-735-8663.”
Atlantic sturgeon sightings, mostly dead, are occurring up and down the Delaware River and Bay. They are one of the few prehistoric creatures that have called Delaware home for over seventy million years. Atlantic Sturgeon can reach fourteen feet in length. We see them often in the fall off the point in Cape Henlopen State Park jumping out of the water. Up north it is called poor man’s whale watching. Watching a massive sturgeon jump out of the water is a spectacular sight.
So why are we seeing so many dead Atlantic Sturgeon all of a sudden washed up on the beaches? One theory in the fishing community rumor mill is poaching the roe which is a delicacy and was an industry back in the day. One of the main reasons the Sturgeon’s population crashed, overfishing on a massive scale. That is not why so many are being found all of a sudden.
We are talking with the folks that are doing sturgeon tagging and studies next week to shed some light on the many recent sightings, it is interesting work. I spent a day two weeks ago with the tagging crew recovering data from acoustic fish tag receivers located in front of Rehoboth beach, out as far as thirteen miles. Those receivers pick up all kinds of acoustic tags, even migratory striped bass. Just be assured there isn’t a lot of poaching of Atlantic Sturgeon going on, there is a study being conducted.
In the meantime if you see any Atlantic sturgeon dead or alive. Contact DNREC and report the sighting. DNREC … “The Delaware Division of Fish and Wildlife is asking the public to assist in gathering data on Atlantic sturgeon, and to report any interactions with the fish. Interactions can be of fish incidentally caught while fishing or of live or dead fish observed while on the ocean or any of the state’s bays.“