Tyler Racine of Springfield caught a shortnose sturgeon in the Connecticut River, which is found in major rivers along the East Coast of North America from Florida to New Brunswick, Canada, according to Mass.gov . Shortnose sturgeon are currently found in the Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers with historical occurrences in many coastal rivers around Massachusetts.
Tyler Racine of Springfield
Tyler Racine of Springfield
The shortnose sturgeon is a prehistoric fish that dates back to the time of dinosaurs, around 136 million years ago. Shortnose sturgeon is one of the largest fish species in Massachusetts inland waters and is the smallest species of sturgeon in Massachusetts and the smallest in the sturgeon family (Acipenseridae). They vary in color from yellow-brown to black-olive on the dorsal surface and have a white belly. They do not have many scales but have five rows of bony plates that are called scutes.
They typically spawn in large freshwater rivers and migrate from the mouths of rivers, traveling 10 to 100 miles to reach suitable spawning upstream. They can live up to 60 years, and do not reach reproductive maturity until they are 10–12 years old.
According to Robert E. Barrett Fishway , 64 shortnose sturgeon went through the Holyoke Fish Lift in 2023, the highest amount since 2018 with a count of 90. They are protected under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to possess shortnose sturgeon. MassWildlife says if you accidentally catch a sturgeon while fishing, release it as gently and quickly as possible, even if you need to cut the line, and never take the fish out of the water.
22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts in March 1953. Watch the 22News digital edition on weekdays at 4 p.m.
Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Most Popular
Comments / 0