Sturgeon Experts to Convene in Oshkosh

Biologists, resource managers, law enforcement specialists, and commercial interests from 20 countries will convene at the Fourth International Symposium on Sturgeon July 8-13 in Oshkosh, Wis. 

"This is truly a global event, where the future of worldwide sturgeon management and research will be decided," said Fred Binkowski, UW Sea Grant aquaculture specialist and one of the organizers of the conference. "The world’s foremost experts on this ancient fish will share their experience and knowledge on the biology, culture, and management of sturgeon," Binkowski said. 

Lake sturgeon can grow to more than seven feet long and live to be more than 150 years old.  Learn more about this ancient creature.

The symposium will feature papers and presentations on law enforcement and public involvement.  Participants will tour the historic Wolf River spawning and nursery grounds, concluding with a feast on the Menominee Indian Reservation, where participants will visit a traditional tribal sturgeon harvest site and hear about the recent implementation of the tribal/state cooperative effort to restore lake sturgeon to reservation waters.

Attendees will also experience a variety of local culture, including a pig roast in Oshkosh celebrating Wisconsin’s German heritage and a fish boil in Milwaukee.

Lake Winnebago is home to the world’s largest population of self-sustaining lake sturgeon, a heavily armored relic of the dinosaur age. 

The three preceding sturgeon symposia have been held in France, Russia, and Italy.

- John Karl

Last updated 22 June 2001 by Karl
All contents copyright 2000 University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute

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