The Atlantic sturgeon has not swum in the Göta river for over a hundred years, but now it is to be reintroduced.
The fish had been extirpated from Europe, but has remained in Canada.
– It’s a really cool “dragon” that slowly swims at the bottom of the river and peacefully exists without disturbing anyone, says Linnéa Jägrud, biologist and project manager Sportfiskarna.
The fish can be over four meters long and can weigh almost half a ton if it is allowed to live in peace. The Atlantic sturgeon has not been found in Swedish waters for more than 100 years.
– It was here and it’s incredibly cool that we can get it back, says Linnéa Jägrud.
The project The return of the sturgeon is a collaboration between Sweden’s University of Agriculture, Gothenburg’s Museum of Natural History, Sportfiskarna and the University of Gothenburg.
The Atlantic sturgeon has remained in Canada and thanks to that, work can be done to re-establish it in European waters.
– It can be up to 130 years old and is very beautiful with its bone plates, says the biologist.
Restoration of the ecosystem
At the beginning of the summer, the Atlantic sturgeon will thus be re-established in Göta Älv after a thorough preparatory work.
– It should not disturb the ecosystem, but contribute to the parts of the ecosystem that are now gone and a restoration of it, says the biologist.
Like the salmon, the Atlantic sturgeon lives its first period in fresh water. When they are big enough to cope with the salinity, they wander out into the sea to look for food. They then return to spawn in fresh water.
– Together with German researchers, we have inventoried the Göta River’s main channel and found three suitable playgrounds, says Johan Höjesjö, professor of ecological zoology at University of Gothenburg.
Operated transmitter to follow it
Acoustic telemetry means that a transmitter is surgically inserted into the stomach and receivers are placed along the river and the coast. Then you can follow the Atlantic sturgeon in the river system and out to the coast.
– This helps with the restoration of the river, so that we can get several stretches of the river back, says Linnéa Jägrud.