Lake sturgeon were previously plentiful in Georgia’s Coosa River before vanishing entirely. Currently, a program aimed at their resurgence is demonstrating significant advancements, according to a recent study from the University of Georgia.

The ancestry of the lake sturgeon can be traced back millions of years, dating back to the age of the dinosaurs. However, a combination of pollution and excessive fishing led to their complete extinction in the Coosa River.

In 2002, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources launched an initiative to restore these ancient fish. Annually, eggs from lake sturgeon located in Wisconsin were transported to Georgia, where they were hatched and reintroduced into the Coosa River.

Researchers at UGA were assigned the responsibility of overseeing the progress of the initiative, conducting an extensive netting study to capture and tag as many fish as possible.

“There was quite a significant uncertainty regarding whether fish with northern genetics would thrive,” stated Martin Hamel, the principal author of the study and an associate professor at UGA’s Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources. “And even if they managed to survive, would they be capable of breeding independently and establishing a self-sustaining population?”

The scientists now believe they have found the answer.

“Not only are these fish enduring, but we’re observing evidence that they can reproduce and that the juveniles can survive autonomously.”

Lake sturgeon continued to hatch even when stocking ceased

The aim of the reintroduction initiative was for the lake sturgeon to breed independently, yet tracking progress presented various challenges. On average, male lake sturgeon do not reach reproductive maturity until they are 13 to 15 years old, while females take even longer to mature.

This results in a prolonged timeline for lake sturgeon reproduction. The annual restocking of the Coosa River complicates efforts to ascertain whether lake sturgeon are breeding autonomously.

However, in 2020, restocking was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It doesn’t necessarily indicate that the population has recovered, but it’s undeniably a move in the right direction.

—Martin Hamel, Warnell School of Forestry and Natural Resources

In 2022 and 2023, UGA researchers analyzed samples from the fins of lake sturgeon to estimate their ages and assess the progress of the reintroduction initiative. The ages of some lake sturgeon suggested they hatched in 2020 – a year without any stocking. This was an unforeseen result that would not have been identified without the disruptions caused by the pandemic.

“That was essentially the smoking gun confirming that these fish were breeding in the wild independently, which is a significant milestone for recovery,” commented Hamel. “It doesn’t necessarily signify that the population has bounced back, but it’s certainly a positive step.”

Researchers intend to continue monitoring sturgeon recovery

The researchers plan to revisit this approach in a few years to ascertain if natural reproduction continues. For Hamel, it’s essential to ensure the survival of these fish.

“They’re rather a charismatic and distinctive species, having existed for a very long time. They play a crucial role in the aquatic ecosystem,” noted Hamel. “I feel fortunate to be conducting research on them in areas where they were historically present, and for this specific project, to assist in replenishing this previously lost population.”

The study was published in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management and co-authored by Matthew Phillips, Savannah Perry, Brian Irwin, and John Damer.

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