Fishermen recommend training rather than sturgeon ban

A proposal to ban most commercial catches of shovelnose sturgeon would destroy the livelihood of families who for generations have earned a living from fishing, a federal hearing officer was told Thursday.

An informational meeting and public hearing on the ban at the University Center on the Southeast Missouri State University campus in Cape Girardeau lasted more than two hours. About 20 commercial fishermen discussed the proposal with federal officials and made comments in an attempt to stop the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from imposing it. A better solution, they said, would be a rigorous training program so no fisherman kills an endangered pallid sturgeon by mistake.

"There are a lot of other efforts that could be made," said Andy Chisholm of Ripley, Tenn. "Try more education and more training before we shut down the entire Mississippi River system."

Both Chisholm and his father, Perry Chisholm of Tiptonville, Tenn., are commercial fishermen. They said selling shovelnose sturgeon eggs that become caviar keeps them in business.

The ban was first proposed in September as a way to protect the pallid sturgeon, which was placed on the endangered species list in 1990. The federal wildlife agency bases the proposal on studies showing that law enforcement officers and fishermen have trouble telling the two fish apart, said George Jordan, recovery coordinator for the pallid sturgeon.

The agency has found that pallid sturgeon are being harmed by the continuation of shovelnose sturgeon fishing, he said. The hearing in Cape Girardeau was required by federal law because opponents of the ban requested it. Eight people made formal comments opposing the ban. No one spoke in favor.

The ban would apply to the Mississippi River from Melvin Price Locks and Dams to the Gulf Coast. The ban would also apply on the Missouri River and portions of the Platte River, the Kansas River, the Yellowstone River and the Atchafalaya River. Fishing for shovelnose could continue on the Ohio River, the Arkansas and St. Francis rivers, and the Illinois, Big Muddy, Wabash and Little Wabash rivers.

Shovelnose sturgeon eggs, or roe, are highly valued as a replacement for Beluga caviar from Russia. Retail prices for shovelnose sturgeon caviar range from $30 to $90 for a two-ounce tin. The ban would not affect the harvest of paddlefish, another source of eggs for caviar.

State wildlife agencies are split on the proposal, with the Missouri Department of Conservation supporting it with conditions and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources opposed. In Illinois, a commercial roe fishing permit is issued only after an applicant scores 100 percent on a test of the differences between shovelnose and pallid sturgeon.

That shows commercial fishermen are careful when they are being watched, Jordan said. "When commercial fishermen know they are being scrutinized, they do a really good job of catching only shovelnose," he said.

Under federal law, the federal agency has until September to decide whether to finalize the ban, abandon the plan or modify it to meet the concerns raised in public comments. Written comments are being accepted until Feb. 4.

rkeller@semissourian.com

388-3642

Pertinent addresses:

1 University Plaza, Cape Girardeau, MO