MAKE A GIFT TO SAVE THE ST. MARYS RIVER STURGEON
The St. Marys River is the southernmost river on the eastern seaboard that provides critical habitat for the Atlantic and Shortnose Sturgeon, two federally endangered anadromous fish that return to its natal river to spawn. St. Marys Riverkeeper is helping lead the effort to conduct a comprehensive scientific study of the St. Marys River to map potential spawning grounds, develop a hydrodynamic water quality model, and use eDNA tracing to determine when sturgeon are spawning.
Climate change could lead to changes in species distributions and migration patterns as well as changes in storm frequency and flow regimes. Altered hydrology patterns are likely to affect sturgeon which rely on river discharge as a cue for their spawning migrations. Changes to river flow will also affect their ability to access and use their spawning habitat.
Substrate modeling and data collected from research is important to fill the information gap, assess the quality of the habitat, and develop conservation strategies locally and statewide and help mitigate the effects of climate change to ensure the continuation of the St. Marys River sturgeon population.
SUPPORT OUR EFFORTS
St. Marys Riverkeeper’s work includes organizing bimonthly meetings with over 20 organizational partners, including NGOs, local, state, and federal agencies, and technical partners; on-the-water support during research and sampling events; boots on the ground knowledge for river access, water quality data, and community insight (historically and present); local presentations to raise public awareness; regional workshop presentations with key partners to engage other scientific fields and subject matter experts; and advocacy efforts to ensure sturgeon research and protection are included in all permit considerations for the watershed. This is the only known spawning population of Atlantic Sturgeon in the state of Florida and it is the southernmost in the state of Georgia.
Will we to let sturgeon go extinct in our river on our watch? Or will we do all we can to better protect the species and our St. Marys River?
Consider a gift to help support our involvement in sturgeon research and advocacy efforts so we can continue the vital work to protect one of the most endangered species in our watershed.
