12/01/2005 - Environment
Agency fisheries officers have this week
been tackling a number Eastern European
giants of the deep in a Worcester fishery.
They have been undertaking the removal of
several sterlets, small sturgeon. So far
two fish have been removed, each measuring
approximately 90cms in length. We were called
in by the fishery owner when he discovered
that the fish were in the pool when draining
it. There is no indication at this stage
of how the fish got there.
Our officers have been removing the fish
because the pool is connected to a brook
which leads eventually to the River Severn.
Sterlets are a non–native species and therefore
must not get into wider river environment.
Once they have been caught, the fish will
be taken to our fisheries laboratory in
Brampton where new homes will be found for
them. They can be stocked in fisheries which
are not connected to a river, once the necessary
permission has been obtained from Defra
and ourselves.
Investigations will be carried out on the
river downstream of the fishery to ensure
there are no sterlets living in that area.
Speaking about the situation, fisheries
officer Andy Roberts, said: ‘This is the
first time we have come across these fish
in this area. Although interesting, it represents
an unfortunate situation where there has
been a recent increase of these alien species
being found. These fish pose a real threat
to the environment and their removal is
part of our work to protect the rivers of
England and Wales."
Editors’ notes:
The sterlet, or Acipenser Ruthenus, is
a smaller freshwater cousin of the sturgeon.
They can grow to 125cm and can live to 100
years or more. Originating originally from
Eurasia, principally the Black and Caspian
seas and rivers running into them; the White
and Kara seas and the Sea of Azov. They
are considered a delicacy in Russia and
produce the finest caviar.
