Research: Atlantic Sturgeon Spawning Habitat on the James River, Virginia

Principle Investigator:  Donna Marie Bilkovic, Funding Agencies (NOAA/NCBO and USFWS)

Fish Observations

Large fish (0.5-1.5m) observations during ground-truth activities (sonar high resolution scans)

During ground-truth activities in 25-27 March 2008, large fish (> 0.5m) were observed and annotated on high-resolution scans. While definitive fish identification cannot be assigned, fish in excess of 1-m present in the upper tidal James during this time period have a high probability of being Atlantic sturgeon. Fish were observed in the vicinity of Turkey Island and Jones Neck oxbows and at Lower Rocketts downriver of Richmond