Endangered Sturgeon Found in Saco River

A rare shortnose sturgeon was caught in the Saco River this week.

While the Atlantic sturgeon had seemingly disappeared for about 100 years, its more rare cousin had apparently never been seen in the Saco. At least not until researchers pulled one up Tuesday.

"It's crazy," said James Sulikowski, assistant professor of marine sciences. "Nobody had any idea that we would catch a shortnose."

Squiers, for one, thinks it may be another sign that the state's only known spawning population of shortnose sturgeon – in the Kennebec and Androscoggin rivers – is expanding. He and others believe one of those fish paid a visit to the Saco.

"Shortnose sturgeon were thought to stay within their natal river system," he said. "It appears, based on the work in Maine, that they're moving more than thought." [Link]