The American Paddlefish is commonly found throughout the Midwest of the United States but over-fishing and habitat changes have caused massive declines in the population of these fish.
Up until the early 1900s, these fish were also found in the Lake Erie river system tributaries in both Canada and the USA.
The American Paddlefish remains a popular sport fishing fish, but some areas have restricted the catching of these fish because of a dwindling population. Since these fish don't accept bait or lures, they are caught by snagging. Both the meat and the roe of these fish are much sought after.
Characteristics of the American Paddlefish
The American Paddlefish can be found in the slow flowing waters of the Mississippi River drainage systems near sand or gravel bars. These fish are very closely related to the Sturgeon family and may grow up to five feet and weigh in at around 100 pounds.
Unlike most fish, the Paddlefish have very few scales and their skeletons are made out of cartilage. Their upturned tails are similar to those of sturgeon and sharks.
The Paddlefish takes both its Latin name, polyodon spathula, and its common name from its very recognizable snout which is greatly elongated and flattened into what looks like a paddle shape.
This fish uses its sensitive electro receptors on its snout to search for prey, as well as to navigate to spawning sites and feeding grounds in the river. Some scientists say it’s just like sonar bouncing electricity off of underwater objects.
The Paddlefish feeds mostly on zooplankton, crustaceans and bivalves.
Causes of the Declining Population of the American Paddlefish
Due to its popularity as a game fish, many rivers have been over-fished.
Dams play a huge part in the decline of the Paddlefish by stopping them from reaching their spawning sites.
Invasive species like the Zebra mussel has greatly reduced the zooplankton population which is the main food source for the Paddlefish. Any reintroduction programs for zooplankton would likely fail because the Zebra mussel population is still in existence.
Actions Taken to Preserve the American Paddlefish
The paddlefish has been listed as ‘vulnerable’ by The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It has been proposed for listing as a protected species under the Endangered Species Act in 1989.
Because Paddlefish are found in 19 states along the Mississippi River and its tributaries, there is not one unified management regime. Several states have banned Paddlefish fishing due to a declining population. Other states have limited fishing to restricted areas or to certain times of year. Other states have no programs in place.
The Mississippi Interstate Cooperative Resource Agency (MICRA) is in the process of tagging Paddlefish in order to establish quotas and other management measures.
All states need to be unified in their endeavors to save the American Paddlefish before it’s too late.
Sources:
IUCN List of Threatened Species, International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources.
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