Gulf sturgeon have begun their annual migration back into the Suwannee River, according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officials. Boaters can coexist with these fish and enjoy their time on the water but should take precautions.

Researchers from the U.S. Geological Survey recently reported that the fish have started to return to the north Florida river. However, with the higher water levels this spring, the fish don’t seem to be jumping as frequently as in previous years. As the river levels drop, the jumping frequency could increase.

During 2015, a child was tragically killed and eight people were injured by collisions with the jumping fish.

“Even one person getting hurt is one too many,” said Maj. Andy Krause, FWC regional commander. “We want people to be aware the sturgeon are back in the Suwannee and that the risk of injury to boaters does exist.”

FWC officers will be on water patrol during the summer months in a continuing effort to educate boaters about these jumping fish.

“The best course of action is to go slow, wear your life jacket and keep people off the bow of the boat,” Krause explained. “The Suwannee is a gorgeous river and we certainly don’t want to scare anyone away from enjoying it. We just want those recreating there to be aware these fish are present and can jump at any time.”

Going slow is recommended to reduce the risk of impact and to have more reaction time if a jumping sturgeon is encountered. And boaters are always encouraged to wear their life jackets at all times while on the water.

Sturgeon are simply doing what they have been doing for millions of years: jumping. Researchers have determined that the sturgeon jump to communicate with other fish and to gulp air to fill their swim bladders. This allows the sturgeon to maintain neutral buoyancy.

Biologists estimate the annual population of sturgeon in the Suwannee River to be approximately 10,000 fish, averaging about 5 feet in length and weighing 40 pounds. However, a few can exceed 170 pounds. Sturgeon can leap more than 7 feet out of the water. To add to the seriousness of being hit by one, the fish have five rows of armor-like scutes.

While it is possible for sturgeon to jump anywhere in the river, the fish in the Suwannee are more commonly observed jumping where they gather in “holding” areas. Major holding areas in the Suwannee occur above Jack’s Sandbar; below Manatee Springs; between Fanning Springs and Usher Landing; below Old Town Trestle; below the confluence of the Santa Fe and Suwannee rivers; near Rock Bluff; and below Anderson Springs.

Adult fish spend eight to nine months each year in the river, spawning in May, and then return to the Gulf during the coolest months to feed.

State and federal laws protect sturgeon, just like bald eagles, panthers and sea turtles. Gulf sturgeon cannot be harvested.

To report sturgeon collisions, call 888-404-FWCC (3922).

For more information about the Gulf sturgeon, go to MyFWC.com/Research and click on “Saltwater” then “Sturgeon.”