Sturgeon Research Underway!

A Story of Survival!

On July 17 and 18, St. Marys Riverkeeper hosted a team of researchers from FWS and UGA for a ground truthing mission in search of potential sturgeon spawning grounds in the St. Marys River. Researchers braved diving in our black water river and hunkering down during a bad thunderstorm in order to set eyes  on possible sturgeon spawning locations. These sites were chosen based on a side sonar scan that FWS completed in January of 2024.

St. Marys Riverkeeper partners with over 20 organizations (local, federal, state, and other NGOs) to research Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon in their southern-most river habitat. 

What is ground truthing?
 
Ground truthing is a critical process in conservation biology, ensuring data collected through remote sensing and other indirect methods accurately represent on-the-ground conditions. The field investigations help validate and refine understanding of sturgeon habitats, essential for effective conservation efforts.
 
Sturgeon favor hard bottom substrate, such as limestone, to spawn and are known to travel over 100 river kilometers upriver in order to find suitable habitat. Substrate must be submerged during spawning runs, have holes and crevices to protect the eggs from fast flowing water, and have the correct water quality parameters in order for eggs and larvae to survive. 

The 2024 St. Marys River sturgeon sampling season began April 29. This collaboration is part of a long-term monitoring program aimed at determining the distribution, abundance, and population dynamics of these endangered species. The season was scheduled to last eight weeks but due to unusually high water temperatures, June 12 marked the last day of sturgeon sampling on the river.

Read our previous BLOG post to understand what questions we are trying to answer, why this research is important for the continuation of this endangered species, and how it supports the conservation efforts to protect our St. Marys River.

3 ... 2 ... 1 ... ACTION!

Thanks to two generous donation, St. Marys Riverkeeper is working with filmmaker Jennifer Brown from Into Nature Films to produce a Sneak Peak and Documentary focused on the mystery of endangered sturgeon in Georgia’s river systems, raise awareness about why sturgeon research is important, and explore the many unknowns. Through stunning visuals and compelling interviews, the films will showcase the intricate relationship between sturgeon, locals in the river ecosystem and dedicated conservationists working tirelessly to learn more about this ancient species. 
 
See Social Media Post for pictures.
 
The Sneak Peak will feature the questions that need answering to fully understand the St. Marys River as critical habitat for this prehistoric species and will set the stage for the Documentary. The Sneak Peak will be premiered at our annual Toast to Clean Water fundraising event on October 19, 2024. The Documentary will highlight current research to fill data gaps, threats, and conservation efforts statewide focusing on the robust sturgeon population in the Altamaha River and the remnant population in the St. Marys River. Documentary premiere date, to be determined.

A big thank you to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Peninsular Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office, and Adam Fox, PhD from UGA Warnell School, as well as Fish and Aquatic Conservation Headquarters, Georgia Ecological Services Field Office and Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge for their continued dedication to sampling the local sturgeon population in the St. Marys River. Thank you also to Jennifer Brown from Into Nature Films and The Nature Conservancy for helping tell the story.

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