Guardians keep vigil over ancient friends

by Peter Jakey, Managing Editor

It’s been a tough fight for the whisker-snouted sturgeon. The fish survived whatever killed the dinosaurs and have struggled against habitat destruction and overfishing.

Many of its 25 species are endangered, but scientists and concerned northern Michigan residents are going to great lengths to ensure the survival of one of the most valuable resources in Michigan. The Department of Natural Resources and Environment has strict spearing limits, poaching laws, restocking efforts and the well-protected spring spawning season. Volunteers get out each year to take part in the Sturgeon Guardian Program, sponsored by Sturgeon for Tomorrow (SFT).

EACH SPRING, mature lake sturgeon, a threatened fish species in Michigan and rare throughout the United States, briefly leave Black Lake in Cheboygan County, seeking sites in the remote and scenic Black River to spawn. The sturgeon is highly prized in our culture and when spawning on the shallow rocky beds, becomes vulnerable to poaching.

According to the SFT Website, for over a decade the Sturgeon Guarding Program has proven overwhelmingly that citizens who watch over the river and report any suspicious activity have greatly reduced the unlawful take of this valuable fish, thereby assuring protection and growth of the species.

?For a period of about six weeks, from late April through late May, these amazing fish, which can live up to 100 years and weigh over 200 pounds, swim up into the Black River to reproduce. Such a sight is incredible to witness, but even more rewarding is the role caring citizens can play to ensure the protection and enhancement if this species,” stated Ann Feldhauser, a Department of Natural Resources retiree, who is helping to coordinate the volunteer aspect of the program.

WHILE THE sturgeon are in the river spawning, volunteers stand watch and, if necessary, use cellular phones which are provided by SFT, to contact conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Environment, who are patrolling the area in support of the SFT effort.

?My wife Ann and I are both retired from the State of Michigan and we are trying to give something back to the natural resources in the state,? said Mark Feldhauer, who camps for two weeks on the bluff, near the river overlook. ?This is our second year. We are coordinating volunteers to spend four to six hours on a shift to watch over the sturgeon and look for any suspicious activity, and to just talk to people and give them information about the sturgeon program.?

?Seeing these ancient fish is quite impressive,? said Jim Terrian of Newberry, who was consistently spotting sturgeon swimming in the river with his mini binoculars. In addition, fisheries biologists with the DNRE, Michigan State University, and other agencies are always on hand during the spawning season, collecting biological data.

?WITH THE unseasonably warm temperatures, the snowfall wasn?t quite as great,? said Kim Scribner, professor from the Department of Fisheries & Wildlife and Department of Zoology. ?We haven?t had any rain. So, this year the water levels are extremely low.? Scribner said the spawning season is much earlier. ?The water levels are really affecting where the fish are,? he said. ?The shallow depths are not allowing the fish to gain access to some of the areas that they normally

would spawn in. It?s been a very different year.?

Shifts are available for those who wish to get involved, and coordinators are on site to assist and answer questions. In addition to ?guarding? the fish, volunteers can also play a key role by recording the number of fish they see as well as their activity. __ For those who wish to volunteer and must travel to do so, several hotels, restaurants and Onaway State Park, located on Black Lake, are very close to the critical guarding locations on the Black River. Volunteers also are encouraged to set up their rustic camp along the banks of the Black River.

Many volunteer dates are open, and interested persons should contact Ann Feldhauser at (906) 346-9511 or (906) 201-2484 or Brenda Archambo at (231) 625-2776 for more information. The SFT Web site also is available at www.sturgeonfortomorrow.org

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