Scientists propose catch and release for California sturgeon
A dozen independent fish scientists are calling for urgent changes to sport fishing rules to save California’s largest freshwater fish after an unprecedented red tide this summer left hundreds of them dead in the estuary on Sacramento’s doorstep. The fish is the white sturgeon — an ancient species native to the West Coast. … But this summer’s deadly red tide has independent scientists worried about the future of this species. They’re calling on the state to change fishing rules to require anglers release any sturgeon they catch — a move that would likely be controversial for the state’s 46,000 sturgeon anglers.