Behemoth 220-Pound Fish Caught in Hudson River
The news article discusses a significant event involving the Hudson River Estuary Program fisheries staff capturing a massive Atlantic sturgeon in the Hudson River. This 220-pound, over 6-feet long fish was caught during an annual survey aimed at assessing the population health of this endangered species. Atlantic sturgeons are anadromous and migrate from Florida to Maine, only coming into the Hudson River to spawn. The captured fish, suspected to be a female that had not yet laid eggs, represents a critical data point since females are infrequently caught. The article notes the historical overfishing and habitat loss faced by the sturgeon, which led to its endangered status in 2012. The ongoing research includes tagging, measuring, and genetic sampling before releasing them back into the wild. The article also mentions that preliminary data from a three-year study shows positive trends in the sturgeon population, offering hope for this endangered species. This capture is crucial for understanding and aiding the recovery of Atlantic sturgeon populations.
Behemoth 220-Pound Fish Reeled in from US River
By Jack Davis June 29, 2024 at 12:30pm
Usually in a fish story about the massive one that never makes it to the table, there’s no proof such a critter ever existed.
But this time, Hudson River Estuary Program fisheries staff made sure to document the massive Atlantic sturgeon caught recently in New York state’s Hudson River.
“Last week, during an Atlantic sturgeon survey, Hudson River Estuary Program fisheries staff captured a fish that was over 6 feet long and weighed about 220 pounds,” the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation posted on its Facebook page.
“Atlantic sturgeon are an endangered, anadromous fish species that spend most of the year in the ocean, but the adults move in the Hudson during this time of year to spawn. While in the ocean they migrate from Florida to Maine,” the post said.
The post also noted that the Atlantic sturgeon is the biggest fish that can be found in the Hudson River and the largest of three species of sturgeon found in New York state.
The post added that staffers believe the fish was a female that had not yet laid its eggs.
The post also said that staff conduct an annual survey in May and June to see how the Atlantic sturgeon population is faring.
“Staff use nets to capture the fish, measure it, scan it for a tag (and give it one if it doesn’t have one), take a piece of fin for genetic analysis, and weigh it before releasing it back into the wild,” the post reads.
The fish was caught about 80 miles north of New York City near Hyde Park, according to the Albany Times-Union
“We don’t catch many females, so this suspected female was our third of the survey, which is significant,” Amanda Higgs, a fishery biologist with the DEC Hudson River Estuary Program, said.
The Atlantic sturgeon, which had been a popular food source a century ago, was declared endangered in 2012 after overfishing and a loss of its habitat.
Atlantic sturgeon are an endangered, anadromous fish species that spend most of the year in the ocean, but adults move in the Hudson River this time of year to spawn. It’s the Hudson’s biggest fish. It’s also the largest of NY’s 3 sturgeon species (Atlantic, shortnose, & lake). pic.twitter.com/8ektRcwlOD
— New York State Dept. of Environmental Conservation (@NYSDEC) June 26, 2024
Higgs said there were abut 450 Atlantic sturgeon in the Hudson in 2014, according to Fox News.
“Another population assessment is underway (three-year study period) and in its second year, so it might be a few more years before an updated number is available. Preliminary data shows positive trends,” she said.
Atlantic sturgeons can grow as large as 14 feet long and weigh up to 800 pounds.
“Program staff have caught fish in the past that weighed in at 250 to 300 pounds,” Higgs said.
A Note from Our Deputy Managing Editor:
“We don’t even know if an election will be held in 2024.” Those 12 words have been stuck in my head since I first read them.
Former Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn recently made that comment to Floyd Brown, founder of The Western Journal.
And if the leftists and the elites get their way, that’s exactly what will happen — no real election, no real choice for the Electoral College, and no real say for the American people.
The Western Journal is fighting to keep that from happening, but we can’t do it alone.
We work tirelessly to expose the lying leftist media and the corrupt America-hating elites.
But Big Tech’s stranglehold is now so tight that without help from you, we will not be able to continue the fight.
The 2024 election is literally the most important election for every living American. We have to unite and fight for our country, otherwise we will lose it. And if we lose the America we love in 2024, we’ll lose it for good. Can we count on you to help?
With you we will be able to field journalists, do more investigative work, expose more corruption, and get desperately needed truth to millions of Americans.
We can do this only with your help. Please don’t wait one minute. Donate right now.
Thank you for reading,
Josh Manning
Deputy Managing Editor
P.S. Please stand with us today.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
