How Can I Get Involved?

The first phase in restoring the Nechako white sturgeon to a healthy, vibrant population is to prevent further decline. Every remaining Nechako sturgeon is vitally important for rebuilding the population! While complete recovery will take the combined efforts of many interested groups, such as governments, industries and First Nations, there are steps that you can take right now!

In 1994, the British Columbia Government declared all commercial and sport harvesting of sturgeon illegal and sport fishing for sturgeon was designated catch and release only. Most First Nations people have also voluntarily stopped sustenance harvesting of sturgeon. In 2000, all sport fishing was closed for white sturgeon in the Nechako watershed due to conservation concerns.

Report All Poachers and Polluters!

Any angling for white sturgeon in the Nechako watershed is illegal. Report any captures to:

  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada - 1-800-465-4336
  • Conservation Officer Service - 1-877-952-7277
  • or your local RCMP detachment

Keep Sturgeon Safe

  • Avoid bottom fishing with bait in back-eddies. If you have sighted a sturgeon while fishing in a specific location, move to another location.
  • Use artificial lures and non-stainless steel, single barbless hooks. Avoid using stainless steel hooks as these are slow to corrode if they remain in the fish.
  • Use the lightest wire hooks possible with a heavy line. That combination allows any large sturgeon to straighten the hook with a low risk of breaking the line. If you do hook a large sturgeon, break your line immediately by pointing your rod at the fish and tightening the drag until the hook either straightens, pulls out or breaks off. Alternatively, use a small section of 8 lb test leader on 15 lb test main line. This will leave only a small piece of the leader when the fish breaks it off.
  • If you catch a young white sturgeon, land and release it as smoothly as possible. Keep it in the water, remove the hook and avoid touching the gills. Returning the fish to the water quickly is critical to its survival.

Report any incidental captures, information from tagged sturgeon, or sturgeon sightings to:

  • Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations, Prince George 250-614-7431 

Returning a caught fish to the water quickly is critical to its survival.

Volunteer

Volunteering may include participating on committees, attending meetings, assisting at educational outreach events, distributing outreach materials, helping with financial support, or just simply telling a neighbor or a friend about Nechako white sturgeon. If you or your organization would like to volunteer your support or if you have any questions about the Nechako White Sturgeon Recovery Initiative please contact: NWSRI Coordinator at info@nechakowhitesturgeon.org

Don't Pollute

Avoid polluting streams, lakes and rivers with garbage, fuel, pesticides or other contaminants. Remember that much of what you pour into your drains will ultimately make it to our river systems.