New sturgeon spawning reef

[Hamilton Reef]

New spawning reef could turn Detroit River into a love nest
Project off Belle Isle to help sturgeon breed

The Great Lakes lake sturgeon -- a monster-sized fish with prehistoric lineage, a life span of 150 years and a face only a momma sturgeon could love -- is being invited to fool around in the Detroit River.
A $500,000 artificial spawning reef just offshore of Belle Isle will be ready in time for the sturgeon's spawning run next spring, local, state and federal officials announced Thursday.
Manny said plans may include a permanent video camera so that anyone with Internet access can watch the sturgeon on the gravel bars.

http://www.freep.com/news/metro/reef21_20031121.htm

ALSO:
Two projects expected to enhance Belle Isle - 11/20/03

Both projects will total about $850,000 that will primarily be covered by state and federal funding. The city's recreation department also will provide some matching funds.

http://www.detnews.com/2003/metro/0311/21/d11d-330247.htm

[ice fishin nut]

That would be soooooo cool if they put the camera in there!!!!:D

[Hamilton Reef]

Scientists work to create love shack for sturgeon
Discovery of male in heat near Belle Isle gives them hope that fish may return in large numbers.

A group of scientists hoped it had the right elements -- a stony reef and temperate waters -- to attract a male and female to a corner of Belle Isle to, well, you know.

Biologists discovered a male sturgeon in heat off the northern point of this concrete island, the first occurrence of its kind in years and one they hope indicates the finnicky fish species may return here in greater numbers to spawn.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060517/METRO/605170342/1003

[dortmand]

The season is getting close!! I can't wait!!

[Hamilton Reef]

To: Refuge Partners
From: John Hartig

Subject: U.S. and Canada Partner to Build a Sturgeon Spawning Reef off Fighting Island in the Detroit River

There is more good news for our International Wildlife Refuge. Funding from both Canada and the United States has been secured for pre-construction assessment for a sturgeon spawning reef off Fighting Island. This is great news! See attached news releases out of Congressman Dingell's Office and Canadian Member of Parliament Watson's Office. Congratulations to all the partners in our binational effort to restore this important native fish population!

John H. Hartig, Refuge Manager
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge
Large Lakes Research Station
9311 Groh Road
Grosse Ile, MI 48138
Phone: 734-692-7608
Fax: 734-692-7603
E-mail: john_hartig@fws.gov

[yellowbelly80]

its nice to see them help out that is a great fish to catch and release the # of fish is far more greater than i knew of

[Hamilton Reef]

Check out the neat video and photos. Video http://info.detnews.com/video/index.cfm?id=881

U.S., Canada aim to revive lake sturgeon population
Mating reef set for Detroit River island

Officials hope to complete preconstruction research this fall and begin building the reef to enhance the sole International Wildlife Refuge in North America next year, Hartig said.

The reef will span about 70 yards along the shoreline in the northeast corner of Fighting Island.

Hartig estimates the second phase, or construction of the spawning reef, will cost between $150,000 and $200,000, and the third phase, post-construction assessment will be about $50,000.

http://detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070530/METRO/705300384/1003

[Hamilton Reef]

New reefs will help an ancient fish thrive again in river

Excitement about the Fighting Island spawning reef has spread like a contagion among the fishery crowd. Bruce Manny, a fishery biologist and sturgeon expert for the U.S. Geological Survey, brimmed with enthusiasm about what the next few years will reveal about sturgeon and the river. The Fighting Island channel reef has special potential, he said, because it lies upstream from some of the river's last open spots of shoreline on the Canadian side -- perfect nurseries for baby sturgeon.

Anticipation of sturgeon lovefests is spreading well beyond the biologists, too. The $178,000 in reef funding comes from foundations as well as government sources, with additional in-kind donations by BASF and DTE. The teamwork, essential to the refuge, shows how many borders can be crossed when people find a common motive.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080428/OPINION02/804280360/1068/OPINION

[Hamilton Reef]

To: Refuge Partners
From: John Hartig
Subject: Fighting Island sturgeon reef nears completion

Today a press conference was held by Essex Region Conservation Authority during constuction of the sturgeon spawning reef off Fighting Island. Additional money was announced from Environment Canada and new money was announced from BASF Corporation, DTE Energy, and the Ontario Renewal Foundation. See news release below.

October 10, 2008
Media Release
For Immediate Release

Provincial and Federal Funding Completes Detroit River Sturgeon Habitat Restoration

LaSalle, Ontario – Construction of a sturgeon spawning reef will soon be completed as a result of Provincial and Federal funding announcements at Gil Maure Park today in LaSalle. Bruce Crozier, M.P.P. Essex, has announced that the Province of Ontario is contributing $65,000 towards Phase 2 of this restoration project and Jeff Watson, M.P., has announced that the Federal Government is contributing an additional $60,000. These contributions help facilitate the goal of returning this spectacular Lake Sturgeon fish to its historical abundance. The project is situated at the north east end of Fighting Island in the Detroit River and is the first ever fish habitat restoration project in the Great Lakes undertaken with Canadian and U.S. funding.

“Contributing to this project is how the Provincial Government is a strong environmental leader on issues that cut across all areas of public policy,” said Member of Provincial Parliament Bruce Crozier. “I am impressed with the magnitude of this project. The number of public and private partners who have come on board to restore an important part of the Detroit River’s fisheries is commendable.”

“This is the first time both Canadian and U.S. money is being pooled for a common fish habitat rehabilitation project in the Great Lakes,” notes U.S. Congressman John Dingell. “This sturgeon reef construction project is precedent setting and shows the strength of our U.S.-Canada partnership for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.”

“We are taking real action, with our U.S. partners, to rebuild a valuable shared resource and its biodiversity," said Canadian Member of Parliament Jeff Watson. “The Federal Government is very proud to be part of this initiative to strategically restore a natural habitat for this local fish off Fighting Island.”

The Lake Sturgeon is a remnant of the dinosaur age and can grow to over eight feet in length and weigh over 200 pounds. It is listed as either threatened or endangered in 19 of 20 states in the U.S. In Canada, it has been identified as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife. Lake Sturgeon is endemic to the Great Lakes and, historically, the Huron-Erie Corridor was one of the most productive waters for Lake Sturgeon in North America.

“The Essex Region Conservation Authority understands the critical importance in achieving a sustainable environment for this region, and are pleased to be the collaborative partner in this restoration,” said Ken Schmidt, General Manager of the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

In 2001, Lake Sturgeon spawning was documented in the Detroit River for the first time in over 20 years, but their numbers are estimated to be only 1% of their original population. Scientists determined that the lack of spawning habitat is one of the factors limiting population growth.

Historically, the area surrounding Fighting Island was well known as an important spawning and nursery area for Lake Sturgeon and thus was targeted as a potential habitat construction site.

The success of this project has resulted from the collaboration of many public and private sector organizations. Partner organizations are Environment Canada, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ontario Great Lakes Renewal Foundation, Essex Region Conservation Authority, U.S. Geological Survey – Great Lakes Science Center, Michigan Wildlife Conservancy, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, Detroit River Canadian Cleanup, BASF Corporation, DTE Energy, Landmark Engineers Inc., International Wildlife Refuge Alliance, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Sea Grant, and Wildlife Habitat Council.

The Detroit River has the distinction of being the only International Wildlife Refuge in North America and the only river system in North America to hold both American and Canadian Heritage River designations. This project is being undertaken in direct response to the sturgeon spawning habitat restoration objective in the Comprehensive Conservation Plan for the Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge.

Contact persons:
Mr. Matthew Child, Essex Region Conservation Authority (519.776.5209 ext. 368)
Dr. John Hartig, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (734.692.7608)

[Hamilton Reef]

Reef project to help struggling sturgeon

An unprecedented international rescue mission is building a $250,000 lake sturgeon-spawning reef on the bottom of the Detroit River near Fighting Island.

The Essex Region Conservation Authority joined sixteen companies and government agencies in announcing funding Friday for the construction of the spawning reef.

ERCA general manager Ken Schmidt said it's the first time government agencies in Canada and the U.S. have joined forces on a habitat restoration project in the Great Lakes.

The sturgeon reef -- already under construction -- is in Canadian waters and will be managed by ERCA, Schmidt noted.

http://www.canada.com/windsorstar/news/story.html?id=4d509ed2-4c05-4cd9-9bbe-1beae2366a1b