CDFW On Importance Of Conservation As White Sturgeon Catch-And-Release FOpener Looms
The following press release is courtesy of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife:
CDFW Kicks Off White Sturgeon Season Opener with Conserve The Sturg Campaign
The white sturgeon sport fishing season opens Oct. 1, 2024, only for catch-and-release fishing. Anglers may continue to fish using 2024 Sturgeon Fishing Report Cards purchased earlier in the year, but all remaining 2024 sturgeon harvest tags are invalid, and no harvest is permitted under any circumstances.
“Catch-and-release provides a balance between maintaining angling opportunities while allowing sturgeon the ability to rebound after years of decline,” said Jay Rowan, Chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fisheries Branch. “Sturgeon have been in California’s waterways for 200 million years and we want to ensure this species not only continues to exist but thrives.”
“Conserve The Sturg” Campaign
In support of sustaining sturgeon and California’s fisheries, CDFW has developed the “Conserve the Sturg” campaign that aims to raise awareness about sustainable angling and stewardship for this large, long-lived and prehistoric fish.
“There is a unique thrill to catching this living-legend fish while also releasing it back to its waters knowing that this species will live on for future generations,” said Jonathan Nelson, CDFW environmental program manager.
To learn more about “Conserve the Sturg” and about how the public can help sustain this prehistoric species, visit wildlife.ca.gov/Conserve-the-Sturg(opens in new tab).
White Sturgeon Monitoring Effort
To continue to make informed management decisions, CDFW has begun monitoring white sturgeon through a partnership with Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission and the local fishing industry to catch, measure and tag white sturgeon. This helps CDFW fisheries biologists estimate how many sturgeon are in the population, track the success of different year classes and monitor where sturgeon are congregating. With repeated monitoring efforts over the next several years, changes in the population can be measured with greater accuracy.
