To the Editor:

Throughout this summer biologists have been and will be studying how sturgeon use the lower portion of the Grasse River. To do so they put 50-foot nets out staggering the river.

These nets appear to be checked multiple times a day and the biologists seem to generally care for the health of the fish they catch in their nets. The mesh is rather large allowing smaller fish to swim freely through while sturgeon will get caught to be tagged, The problem is sturgeon aren’t the only large fish in these waters.

I spoke with the biologists, and though I know from speaking to them, that they care about the well being of the fish netted, musky are being caught and are dying in these nets.

Though they may be few, only larger musky are getting caught. They may be the top predators in the river but they are also very fragile fish when stressed. Anyone who has handled one knows how easily they go into shock.

I know sacrifices must be made for science, but these fish are already low in numbers, size limits were increased this year as well. I strongly urge stricter means of studying the sturgeon while not upsetting the balance in the river.

I would like to see the DEC accompany the biologists out to check the nets, or find another means of catching them for study. I think this needed to be addressed and my musky fishing colleagues should be aware as well as I’m sure they would take a stand against this.

I in no way want to misrepresent the biologists as they have been very pleasant to speak to and I’m sure they are doing their best to keep fish from dying, but I know from speaking to them as well, musky are being killed to study another species patterns and the point of it all seems meaningless.

Scott Dafoe

Potsdam