The Angler’s Pledge for Ethical Sturgeon Handling on the Fraser River
For the dedicated community of Sturgeon BC, the Fraser River’s White Sturgeon are more than just a quarry; they are a living link to a prehistoric past, a testament to resilience, and a profound responsibility. As anglers privileged to interact with these magnificent, ancient fish, our commitment to their well-being is paramount. The Fraser River sturgeon fishery is a world-renowned catch-and-release experience, and the survival of every fish we encounter hinges directly on our actions. This guide delves into the critical principles of ethical sturgeon handling, ensuring that each encounter is a positive one for both angler and fish, safeguarding these giants for generations to come.
Why Ethical Handling is Non-Negotiable
White Sturgeon, despite their formidable size and armored appearance, are susceptible to stress and injury if handled improperly. Understanding their physiology is key:
- Stress and Lactic Acid: Prolonged fights and excessive handling lead to a build-up of lactic acid in their muscles, which can be debilitating or even fatal, sometimes hours after release.
- Air Exposure: Sturgeon are fish; they breathe water. Extended time out of water deprives them of oxygen and can cause severe physiological stress and organ damage.
- Skeletal Structure: Unlike mammals, sturgeon lack a supportive rib cage. Lifting a large sturgeon out of the water places immense pressure on its internal organs, potentially causing irreversible internal injuries.
- Slime Coat: Their protective slime coat is a defense against infection. Rough handling, dry surfaces, or abrasive materials can remove this vital layer, leaving them vulnerable.
- Cumulative Impact: With the Fraser River being a popular sturgeon fishery, the cumulative effect of many anglers, even those causing minor stress individually, can impact the overall health and resilience of the population.
Our goal is simple: to ensure every sturgeon swims away strong, healthy, and capable of contributing to the future of its species.
Before the Cast: Preparing for a Respectful Encounter
Ethical handling begins before your bait even hits the water:
- Appropriate Gear:
- Tackle: Use sufficiently strong rods, reels, and line (typically 80-150lb test braid) to minimize fight times. Prolonged battles exhaust fish unnecessarily.
- Barbless Hooks: This is mandatory and crucial. Barbless hooks are easier to remove, cause less tissue damage, and significantly reduce handling time. Ensure all barbs are completely crimped.
- Essential Tools at the Ready:
- Pliers/De-hooker: Long-nosed pliers or a dedicated de-hooking tool are essential for quick and safe hook removal.
- Gloves (Optional & Debated): While some anglers use gloves for better grip, ensure they are wet if used. Many experienced guides prefer bare, wet hands, believing it’s gentler on the fish’s slime coat. The key is a secure, gentle hold.
- Landing Cradle/Sling (Primarily for Guides/Research): While specialized cradles are used by guides and researchers for safely containing very large fish in the water for tagging or data collection, most recreational anglers will not need or use these. The focus for general angling remains on keeping the fish in the water as much as possible without such containment.
- Camera Ready: If you plan to take a photo, have your camera or phone ready to go to minimize any delay once the fish is controlled.
During the Fight: Bringing the Giant to Bay with Care
The fight itself is part of the handling process:
- Minimize Fight Time: Apply steady, appropriate pressure. Avoid fighting a fish to utter exhaustion.
- Proper Boat Handling (If Applicable): If fishing from a boat, maneuver the boat to aid the angler and shorten the fight if possible, especially if the fish is heading for snags or shallow areas where it could injure itself.
- Avoid Excessive “High-Sticking”: Lifting your rod too vertically when a fish is near the boat or shore can put extreme pressure on the rod tip and potentially break it, or cause slack line that can be detrimental.
The “Landing” – A Critical Juncture of Respect
This is where ethical practices are most visibly applied. Remember the cardinal rule:
KEEP LARGE STURGEON (OVER 1.5 METERS / ~5 FEET) IN THE WATER AT ALL TIMES.
- No Beaching or Boating Large Fish: Never drag a large sturgeon onto dry land, rocks, or even into the bottom of your boat. Their internal organs cannot support their weight out of water, leading to severe, often fatal, internal injuries or spinal damage.
- Shallow Water Support: Guide the fish into calm, shallow water alongside the boat or near a soft, sandy shoreline where you can safely manage it while it remains supported by the water.
- For Smaller Sturgeon (Under 1.5m / ~5ft): If a very brief lift for a quick photo is considered absolutely necessary, it must be done with extreme care. Support the entire body horizontally with two hands (one under the head/pectoral area, one near the anal fin). Air exposure should be less than 15-30 seconds – ideally, as little as 5-10 seconds. If the fish is thrashing, forgo the lift.
Unhooking with Precision and Speed:
- Once the fish is calm and supported in the water, use your pliers or de-hooker to remove the barbless hook swiftly and gently.
- If a hook is deeply embedded or in a sensitive area (like the gills or throat), DO NOT try to rip it out. Cut the leader as close to the hook eye as possible. The hook will often dislodge on its own over time or will be minimally impactful compared to further tissue damage from forced removal.
Crucial “Don’ts” During Landing:
- NEVER lift a sturgeon by its gills, gill plates, or eyes.
- NEVER use a gaff. Gaffs are illegal for sturgeon and cause horrific, often lethal, injuries.
- NEVER use a tail rope or noose on the tail to drag or lift a fish. This can cause severe spinal and muscular damage.
- AVOID letting the fish thrash on hard, dry, or hot surfaces.
Photography: Capturing the Memory, Prioritizing the Fish
A photo is a cherished memento, but it must never come at the expense of the sturgeon’s well-being.
- In-Water Photos are Best: For large sturgeon, the best and safest photos are taken while the fish remains in the water. If conditions allow and it’s safe to do so, an angler can partially enter the water beside the fish.
- Quick and Prepared: If a smaller fish is briefly lifted, ensure the camera is ready before the lift. Make the photo instantaneous.
- Support the Fish: If lifted, ensure its body is fully supported horizontally.
- No “Hero Shots” Endangering the Fish: Avoid poses that put the fish at risk, such as holding it vertically (which compresses organs) or extending the time out of water for “just one more shot.”
- The Fish Comes First: If the fish is stressed or conditions are difficult, forgo the photo. The memory and the fish’s health are more important.
The Revival and Release: Ensuring a Strong Swim Away
This is the final, critical step in ethical handling:
- Orient into Current: Gently hold the sturgeon facing upstream into the current. This allows oxygenated water to flow naturally over its gills, helping it to recover.
- Support Until Strong: Hold the fish upright and stable. You may need to gently hold its tail and support its mid-section.
- Patience is Key: Revival can take several minutes, sometimes longer for a fish that has had a particularly tough fight. Do not rush this process.
- Signs of Recovery: The fish will begin to show signs of revival, such as stronger gill movements, attempts to right itself, and eventually, powerful tail kicks.
- Let it Go When Ready: Only release your hold when the sturgeon is able to maintain its equilibrium and swim away strongly and purposefully under its own power. A fish that weakly drifts away may not survive.
Tags: Valuable Data for Conservation
Many Fraser River sturgeon are tagged by organizations like the Fraser River Sturgeon Conservation Society (FRSCS) as part of ongoing research and monitoring programs.
- Look for Tags: Tags are typically located near the dorsal fin. They can be simple spaghetti tags or more complex electronic tags.
- Record Information: If you catch a tagged sturgeon, do not remove the tag. Record the tag number (if visible and legible), the date of capture, the general location, and an estimated length of the fish.
- Report Your Findings: Report this information to the FRSCS via their website or reporting hotline. This data is invaluable for understanding sturgeon movement, growth rates, and population dynamics, directly contributing to their conservation.
Lead by Example: Be a Steward of the Fishery
As anglers passionate about sturgeon, we have a collective duty:
- Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about best practices and politely share your knowledge with fellow anglers, especially those who may be less experienced.
- Be the Standard: Demonstrate exemplary handling techniques every time you are on the water. Your actions can influence others.
- Support Conservation: Consider supporting organizations like the FRSCS that are dedicated to sturgeon research and conservation.
The Angler’s Pledge
Ethical handling of Fraser River White Sturgeon is more than a set of rules; it’s a pledge we make to these incredible creatures and to the future of this unique fishery. The thrill of the catch is fleeting, but the satisfaction of knowing you’ve treated a magnificent, ancient fish with the utmost respect and care, ensuring its healthy return to the depths, lasts a lifetime. Let every encounter be a testament to our commitment as true guardians of the giants.
