Wisconsin Sturgeon Lure Scientists from Around the World

Biologists and resource managers study state success story, examine world-wide issues

Wisconsin's world-renowned sturgeon research and management program drew nearly 430 scientists, policy makers, resource managers, and fish farmers from 24 countries to Oshkosh, Wis., for the  Fourth International Symposium on Sturgeon on July 8-13. Sponsored in part by UW Sea Grant, the symposium was the "largest gathering of sturgeon scientists in the history of mankind," according to Fred Binkowski, symposium steering committee member and UW Sea Grant-sponsored lake sturgeon researcher for more than two decades. 

Symposium attendees examine lake sturgeon at the UW-Milwaukee WATER Institute.  Learn more about sturgeon.

The symposium featured more than 140 papers and 85 posters covering a full spectrum of topics on sturgeon biology, ecology, restoration, and conservation.  The standing-room-only law enforcement session reflected increasing concern for protecting wild sturgeon around the world as Caspian Sea sturgeon—the source of the world’s most valued caviar—continue a 20-year decline and pressure on other wild sources of caviar increases.

Oshkosh was a natural location, according to Serge Doroshov, a biologist at the University of California-Davis and also a member of the steering committee. 

"Wisconsin is one of the traditional centers of sturgeon interests here in the country," Doroshov said. "There is tremendous support from the various public clubs here, from universities, from the Department of Natural Resources, and state administrators and government, and simply the general public."

The WDNR demonstrates electroshocking of strugeon.

That public involvement has been key to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources’ successful management program, according to Ron Bruch, WDNR lead biologist for the Lake Winnebago system sturgeon management program. Lake sturgeon in the Winnebago system have quadrupled in numbers during the last 40 years, even as harvest from recreational spearing also has quadrupled. In contrast, wild sturgeon populations in many parts of Europe, Asia, and North America are declining in the face of habitat destruction, pollution, and overfishing, Bruch said.

Symposium participants traveled to spawning grounds on the Wolf River, where citizens spend 12-hour shifts protecting the spawning sturgeon from poaching. Further up the Wolf, symposium attendees observed an electroshocking and tagging demonstration.

The Menominee Nation hosted a traditional feast, featuring smoked and baked sturgeon, and a ceremonial dance. Sturgeon historically played a central role in the lives of the Menominee. The tribe is now working with Binkowski, Bruch, and others from the WDNR and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to restore sturgeon to their historic habitat on the reservation.

Symposium participants took the first steps in forming the World Sturgeon Conservation Society and the International Sturgeon Farmers Association.

The conference was also sponsored by Sturgeon for Tomorrow, the Great Lakes Fishery Trust, and numerous other sporting and conservation organizations. 

UW Sea Grant is cosponsoring publication of the symposium proceedings.

Six Italian scientists remained after the conference to explore possible collaborations with Binkowski, Bruch, and the Shedd Aquarium. The group is likely to begin radio telemetry and genetics work with sturgeon in Italy next year, Binkowski said. 

Text and photos by John Karl.

Last updated 27 September 2001 by Karl
All contents copyright 2000 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute

http://www.seagrant.wisc.edu/Communications/news/LD_stories/2001/SturgeonSymposium-after.html