Chapter 3.17
3.17 Sturgeons
GraceAnn Kroondijk, University of Guelph, Canada
https://inaturalist.ala.org.au/photos/21507652
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Kroondijk,G. (2022) Fish And Freshwater/Marine Invertebrates. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Introduction
Sturgeon is a family of large gray fish that have been a main food source for Indigenous groups for 100s of years. Sturgeon meat and caviar are a significant part of many Indigenous cultures (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The goal of this paper is for it to educate Canadians about sturgeons and their significance, historical background, preparation, production, and endangerment; as well as the steps currently underway to protect sturgeons.
Sturgeon Diet, Habitat, And Life Cycle
Sturgeons have an interesting diet, habitat, and life cycle. Sturgeons are bottom feeders. Figure 1 shows adult sturgeon in their habitat. They live in deep, murky waters (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Sturgeons eat larvae, crustaceans, aquatic vegetation, mollusks, insects, and eggs. Sturgeons spawn later in their lives; some types of sturgeons only begin to spawn when they are twenty years old. Sturgeons spawn in freshwater every four to ten years. A full-grown sturgeon grows to become about four meters long and can weigh 50-150kg (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Sturgeons can live for over 100 years (The Fish Site, 2011 ; Government of Ontario, 2014). Sturgeons live in fresh and salt waters in the Northern Hemisphere. There are many types of sturgeon. The main types of sturgeon that live in Canada are the White, Lake, Green, and Atlantic sturgeons (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). See Figure 2 for maps identifying the regions where each species lives.
Historical Background
Sturgeons used to be a common fish in North American waters (LeBreton, Beamish, McKinley, & Beamish, 2004). Numerous Indigenous groups used sturgeons as a main source of protein for their diets. When European settlers began arriving in North America, they viewed sturgeons as fearsome creatures and were hesitant to eat the fish (Le Breton et al, 2004). Over time, sturgeons became a more popular source of protein and caviar. Overharvesting and habitat loss caused their numbers to drastically decline. In the mid 1900s there was concern that sturgeon populations in the Great Lakes would disappear. Conservation efforts were made to help the wild populations, and sturgeon aquaculture began to increase (Le Breton et al, 2004). The uses for sturgeons and perspectives people had about them have changed over time.
Associated Indigenous Groups
Many Indigenous groups across Canada hunted sturgeons (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). See Table 1 for a list that includes but is not limited to the cultural linguistic groups and tribes that hunted sturgeons. See Figure 3 for a map of Indigenous linguistic groups and tribes’ territories.
Table 1. Cultural linguistic groups and tribes that hunted sturgeons (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017).
Hunting Tools And Methods
A variety of tools and methods were used to hunt sturgeons. Specialized nets, nooses, spears, harpoons, baited lines, and traps were commonly used (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017 ; Le Breton et al, 2004). When hunting at night, torches were used to lure sturgeons within range of the hunters (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). A common hunting method was for Indigenous hunters to float down a river, side by side, in a row of about 30 canoes (Le Breton et al, 2004). Each hunter carried a long pole with a spear tied to the end. The hunters would hold their spears approximately a foot from the river’s bottom. When a hunter felt a sturgeon, they would thrust the pole down and spear the fish (Le Breton et al, 2004; Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Lassoing sturgeons was another popular method. The lasso was thrown over the end of a sturgeon’s tail and a harpoon was used to kill the fish. Lassoing was viewed as a difficult and dangerous method. The person holding the end of the lasso was often pulled into the water (Le Breton et al, 2004; Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Weirs, a type of dam-like trap, were constructed out of tree branches and trunks. Migrating sturgeons would get trapped in the weirs, making them easy to harpoon (Le Breton et al, 2004; Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The Salish of the Middle Columbia River were known to toss a dead mountain goat into the water to lure a sturgeon close enough for them to harpoon (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017).
In Canada, sturgeons were hunted across the country. Sturgeons were found lakes, rivers, and along the coasts (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). There were many rules concerning whose equipment was used to catch the sturgeons, especially the net. The way a fish was divided up was dictated by who’s net was used, who took part in the hunt, and the culture of the community. The owner of the net usually received a larger portion of the fish (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The times of the year that each group would hunt for sturgeons fluctuated (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Some groups hunted sturgeons during certain seasons, others hunted for them year-round. Table 2 provides information about when some Indigenous groups hunted for sturgeons. Some Indigenous groups viewed sturgeon hunting as an arduous task that was only done by highly trained fishermen. Other groups viewed sturgeon hunting as a communal task (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). There was a lot of meaning behind the tools, methods, and people involved in sturgeon hunting.
Preperation And Consumption
Sturgeons used to be a significant component of many Indigenous groups’ diets. Indigenous groups prepared sturgeons using a variety of methods. Sturgeons were cleaned very soon after they were caught, and this task was often done by women (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Sturgeons were smoked, steamed, dried, fried, boiled in corn soup, and used for soup relish (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017; Le Breton et al, 2004). Coastal tribes cooked sturgeon roe in maple leaves (Le Breton et al, 2004). The head, spine, and tail were often prepared separately (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The spinal cord was consumed raw and cooked. Sturgeons were often served at feasts. Sturgeons were a key source of protein, fat, and calories. Information about their nutrition is listed in Table 3 (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Sturgeons were a notable part of Indigenous peoples’ diets and cultures.
Other Uses
In addition to being a major food source, Indigenous groups used parts of the sturgeon to create other important products. Glue was created from the spine of the fish, and the skin was used for bow strings (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017; Le Breton et al, 2004). Sturgeon oil was used for cooking. Isinglass, which used to be a key component of glue, was made from the intermembrane of a sturgeon’s swim bladder. From 1841 to 1857, approximately 260 pounds of isinglass were traded annually. The trading of sturgeon meat and other products supported many Indigenous groups’ economies (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017; Le Breton et al, 2004). The variety of ways sturgeons could be used made it a key fish for Indigenous groups to have access to.
Beliefs, Rituals, And Taboos
Numerous beliefs, rituals, and taboos are centered around sturgeons. It was considered bad luck for a sturgeon to die in a trap (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). A young man’s first sturgeon catch was an incredibly significant event and was often followed by a special feast. Two girls are alleged to have married to a net to ensure good catches. There were often restrictions about who could hunt for sturgeons. Visitors to an area needed to have permission from the local tribes. Specific words and phrases were spoken while fishing for sturgeons. Hunters were required to clean their hands with specific plants before they could hunt for sturgeons. Some Huron groups had “fish preachers” to summon sturgeons every night. This was sometimes done by tossing tobacco into the water or burning it while saying a prayer (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The beliefs, rituals, and taboos about sturgeons gave them a lot of cultural significance.
Sturgeons’ Endangerment
Sturgeons’ endangerment is a serious issue. Wild sturgeon populations have drastically declined across the globe, and their numbers continue to decrease (Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). The population drop is the result of overhunting; river fragmentation; a lack of regulation enforcement; dam construction; unsustainable stocking measures; as well as an increase in urban, industrial, and agricultural growth (Towers, 2009; Bronzi, Rosenthal, & Gessner, 2011; Kuhnlein & Humphries, 2017). Interspecific competition and disease transfer may become increasing issues as more fish raised in the pet industry are getting released into natural bodies of water by the public. The low population numbers make it difficult for mature sturgeons to find spawning partners (Bronzi et al, 2011; Le Breton et al, 2004). Numerous factors have contributed to sturgeon populations’ decline and endangerment.
Saving The Sturgeons
Numerous efforts are being made to help slow the population decline and protect wild sturgeons. Integrated multijurisdictional management plans have been developed to regulate sturgeon fishing (Bronzi et al, 2011). There are set numbers of caviar and meat each country can export, and the amount of quota available is declining. TRAFFIC developed a labeling system designed to increase product traceability and improve trade control. The system includes information about the specific species; whether it came from a farm or the wild; the year it was produced; the processing plant; and the production lot code (Bronzi et al, 2011). Protecting wild sturgeon populations is a complicated process that requires a great deal of effort and innovation.
References
1.Bronzi, P., Rosenthal, H., & Gessner, J. (2011). Global sturgeon aquaculture production: an overview. Journal of Applied Ichthyology, 27(2), 169–175. doi:10.1111/j.1439-0426.2011.01757.x
2.Government of Ontario. (2014). Lake Sturgeon (species at risk). Retrieved from https://www.ontario.ca/page/lake-sturgeon-species-risk#:~:text=The%20Lake%20Sturgeon%20has%20ancestral,live%20more%20than%20100%20years.
3.Kuhnlein, H. V., & Humphries, M. M. (2017). Traditional animal foods of Indigenous peoples of northern North America. Retrieved from http://traditionalanimalfoods.org/fish/searun-fish/page.aspx?id=6447
4.LeBreton, G. T. O., Beamish, F. W. H., McKinley, R. S., & Beamish, F. W. H. (Frederick W. H. (2004). Sturgeons and paddlefish of North America. Kluwer Academic Publishers.
5.The Fish Site. (2011). White sturgeon aquaculture in Canada. The Fish Site. Retrieved from https://thefishsite.com/articles/white-sturgeon-aquaculture-in-canada
6.Towers, L. (2009). How to farm siberian sturgeon. The Fish Site. Retrieved from https://thefishsite.com/articles/cultured-aquatic-species-siberian-sturgeon