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Caviar demand leads states to limit the take of an ancient fish
Associated Press
Every spring, Ronnie Harrington of Russellville and many other commercial fisherman who work the Wabash River wait for the shovelnose sturgeon run.
The peculiar-looking fish is covered with boney plates and has a row of barbs on its back. It produces eggs the fishermen take for high-dollar caviar.
Scientists like Purdue University's Trent Sutton say the Wabash population of the fish appears healthy. But they worry that demand for caviar could change that. Other sturgeon, like the beluga in the Caspian Sea, have been overfished and their populations are low.
This year, Indiana will for the first time limit the season for catching the shovelnose and limit the size fishermen can take. Illinois is considering similar regulations.
Harrington supports the regulations, but not everyone agrees. Some fishermen and others in the industry say there's no need to regulate their catch.
Sturgeon-egg buyer John Radloff of West Union calls the regulations a bunch of malarkey.
Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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