Of all the events and initiatives launched to mark this weekend’s coronation, it’s not hard to imagine one to reintroduce sturgeons into British waters would be a favourite of King Charles III, a renowned environmentalist.

However, he might be less impressed if one of these ‘river monsters’ lands on his table, as decreed by King Edward II. 

The gentle giants, which have been around since the time of the dinosaurs, are ‘royal fish’ – meaning any that are caught and brought ashore must first be presented to the crown. 

But dwindling numbers mean the last time a monarch accepted a sturgeon was Queen Elizabeth II in 1969, and the fish have been extinct in UK freshwater since the 1990s.

However, a team of conservationists led by the Zoological Society of London have launched the UK Sturgeon Conservation Strategy and Action Plan to help recover the numbers of native Atlantic and European sturgeons, two of 26 species found across the globe. Like the European sturgeon, many of these are critically endangered.

‘Growing up to five metres in length, with long whisker-like barbels and diamond-shaped armoured plates along their backs, sturgeons look like they’ve swum straight out of a paleontologist’s textbook,’ said Hannah McCormick, ZSL’s conservation project officer for Estuaries and Wetlands.

‘These impressive and ancient animals were once common in UK rivers and along our coastline, so it’s hardly surprising that they were declared ‘royal fish’ by King Edward II back in the 14th Century, meaning all sturgeons landed in the UK have to be offered to the crown – although nowadays this is just a formality. 

‘Fast-forward 700 years, and sturgeons have all but disappeared from our waters, after dam construction in rivers blocking their migration routes and overfishing caused numbers to plummet in the latter half of the 20th century.’

The team behind the action plan will work with key stakeholders and river users to help encourage sturgeons back to UK waters – with actions including identifying essential habitats, the restoration of migratory passages and reducing accidental bycatch.  

Gentle giants

With their long pointed noses, fang-like barbells and huge size, on first sight sturgeons can appear quite alarming – not least if they’re also leaping out the water, which they’re very good at.

However, to humans they are completely harmless (except in the rare case of a collision). Their preferred meals include molluscs, crustaceans, worms and small fishes.

A prehistoric species dating back to the time of the dinosaurs, there are 26 individual species of sturgeon – but collectively they are the most endangered species group on Earth.

Existing action in France and Germany has already proved successful, saving sturgeons from the brink of extinction.

‘The decline of sturgeons is a worldwide problem,’ said McCormick. ‘These ancient fish outlived the dinosaurs and in fact still closely resemble their ancestors, which swam in Earth’s seas and rivers 100million years ago. 

‘But after pushing them to the very brink of extinction, all 26 sturgeon species are under threat of being lost forever – earning them the undesirable title of being the most threatened group of animals of the IUCN Red List. 

‘The UK Sturgeon Conservation Strategy and Action Plan offers a solid, evidence-based way forward to restore the species – and a vital chance to save them.’

Both UK species of sturgeon are migratory, starting life in rivers before heading out to sea, and only returning every few years to reproduce.

However, the recovery of sturgeons in UK waters won’t result in a booming caviar industry – nor will any be likely to make their way to Buckingham Palace. 

At present it is an offence to land (catch and bring ashore) sturgeons caught at sea without permission from the Marine Management Organisation, and they are protected under the Conservation of Habitats and Species Regulations 2017, the Conservation of Offshore Marine Habitats and Species Regulations 2017 and the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Writing on gov.uk, the MMO notes: ‘It is important that any live fish are immediately returned to the sea unharmed. Due to the critical state of common sturgeon population numbers, the survival of each fish is essential.’

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