The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is urging boaters on the Suwannee River to use caution and remain alert for jumping gulf sturgeon through the end of summer.
Gulf sturgeon are large fish that can exceed 8 feet in length, weigh more than 300 pounds and leap as high as 9 feet out of the water. With river levels lower than normal this year, officials say the likelihood of interactions between boaters and sturgeon has increased, raising the risk of property damage and serious injuries.
FWC officials are encouraging boaters to reduce speed and maintain 360-degree awareness while traveling on the river.
According to an FWC press release, “Boaters have been injured by direct strikes from sturgeon. There is no warning. If a boater passes through when the fish is in the air, there is a chance of injury.”
Passengers are also advised never to ride on the bow of a boat or in any location not equipped with proper seating.
To reduce the risk of injury, FWC recommends three key boating safety practices:
- Go slow. Reduced speeds provide vessel operators more time to react if a sturgeon jumps in front of the boat.
- Stay alert and pay attention to your surroundings, including both visual and audible cues.
- Always wear a life jacket. If a boater is knocked overboard or rendered unconscious, a life jacket can help keep them afloat until help arrives.
Scientists believe gulf sturgeon jump to communicate with one another and to refill their swim bladders, which help maintain buoyancy. While sturgeon can jump anywhere along the river, they are most commonly observed in “holding areas” where they congregate and spawn, typically in deeper sections of the river.
Major sturgeon holding areas on the Suwannee River include:
- Above Jack’s Sandbar
- Below Manatee Springs
- Between Fanning Springs and Usher Landing
- Below Old Town Trestle
- Below the confluence of the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers
- Near Rock Bluff
- Below Anderson Springs
Gulf sturgeon are protected under both state and federal law and may not be harvested.
Gulf sturgeon are protected under state and federal laws and cannot be harvested. To report sturgeon collisions, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922). For more information about Gulf Sturgeon, go to MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats, click “species profiles” and then “Gulf Sturgeon.”