Fisheries and Oceans Canada says it is trying to find a white sturgeon spotted entangled in fishing gear in the Columbia River at Trail over the weekend.
In an email, the federal agency asked for your help in locating the sturgeon. If you spot it, you’re asked to contact them through their Observe, Record, Report line at 1-800-465-4336 or email the details to DFO.ORR-ONS.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca.
Fisheries and Oceans “is working with its Upper Columbia White Sturgeon Recovery partners to identify the best course of action if the sturgeon is located,” communications advisor Jennifer Young said.
“Please be aware of your fishing gear,” she added. “Lost or discarded fishing gear can pose a risk of entanglement for fish and wildlife.”
White sturgeon are the largest freshwater fish found in Canada. Some can be more than six meters long. They are also incredibly ancient: the species has been around for at least 200 million years, the department said.
In 2006, the Upper Columbia River population of white sturgeon was legally listed as an endangered species under the Species at Risk Act.
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