Sixteen lake sturgeon that were raised from eggs collected at a constructed spawning reef off Fighting Island are being tagged for science and released into the Detroit River to celebrate the successful restoration effort. Fighting Island, in the Canadian waters of the Detroit River, is owned and managed by WHC member BASF.
BASF employees at the island coordinate a successful Wildlife at Work program and an award-winning Corporate Lands for Learning Program. The spawning reef was constructed in October, 2008, through a bi-national partnership that involved federal, state and provincial agencies along with the company. Scientific leadership and coordination were provided by USGS Great Lakes Science Center and the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.
The lake sturgeon is North America’s largest freshwater fish and was once common throughout the Great Lakes. Fishing pressure, dam building, pollution and sedimentation have greatly reduced sturgeon populations. Restoration of spawning habitat in the St. Clair River, Lake St. Clair, and the Detroit River contributes to the recovery of the lake sturgeon population.
