The research may provide ideas as to how to reverse the decline and increase sturgeon populations. The research may indicate that improving the riverbed to allow for better egg attachment and hatch is needed. It could indicate that perhaps there's a need to create some type of nursery area. It also could indicate any number of other things. At this stage of the game questions are easy to come by.
Answers are more difficult.
This year's research is like opening the first page of a book. The twists and turns the plot takes from here remain to be seen. Fisheries researcher Kraig Smith holds onto one of more than 70 sturgeon that have been tagged this spring in the Black River. This large female could be as much as 60 to 70 years old. Research being done this spring on sturgeon size, reproduction, genetics and survival rates will provide a data base for future research and sturgeon population management.