Cavitt introduces legislation to protect lake sturgeon
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ALPENA -- Last week, State Rep. Cam Cavitt, R-Cheboygan, introduced legislation which aims to protect Michigan's lake sturgeon, according to a press release from Cavitt's office on Sept. 28. Cavitt told The News that lake sturgeon are an important part of northern Michigan ecology and fishing culture.
He said that he was inspired to introduce this legislation, calling for harsher punishments for poaching lake sturgeon, after a lake sturgeon was harvested and discarded in Muskegon County this past summer.
"This legislation is sadly needed," Cavitt said in the release. "In July, the Michigan DNR launched an investigation after a six-foot sturgeon was found dumped on a road in Muskegon County. Unfortunately, the poacher was never brought to justice. By increasing the penalty, we're sending a clear message that we are going to hold perpetrators accountable."
Cavitt told The News that he has been working with Sturgeon for Tomorrow, a conservation group committed to protecting Lake Sturgeon in the Great Lakes regions, to write legislation that will hopefully deter poachers.
He explained that poachers will harvest sturgeon for caviar which can be sold on the black market.
"I was working with Sturgeon for Tomorrow and they wanted to see some stronger penalties," Cavitt said. "Sturgeon on the black market .. they have value. Some people might be, unfortunately, might be ready to take that risk at where we had the penalties. So we wanted to increase the penalties."
Cavitt said that he is thankful for the impact that Sturgeon for Tomorrow has had across the state to preserve and bring back lake sturgeon numbers. He said that conservation efforts in Black Lake, located in Onaway, was the driving force for the organization’s efforts.
"There's more than one chapter," he said. "There's chapters in Wisconsin, there's chapters downstate, and that all happened out of Black Lake."
He explained that conservation efforts on Black Lake have been successful because it’s a "closed habitat."
"It's really performed well there," he added.
Cavitt explained that lake sturgeon are slow to mature to spawning age, some taking upwards of 20 years before reproducing. He added that the vulnerability of lake sturgeon population and its cultural significance to Michigan is why he is spearheading this new legislation.
"Michigan's lake sturgeon are a living piece of our state's natural history, and we have a responsibility to protect them," Cavitt said in the release. "When someone illegally takes one of these fish, the consequences must reflect the seriousness of that violation. Increasing the maximum penalty gives law enforcement and the courts a stronger tool to deter poaching and protect this magnificent species for future generations."
House Bill 6409 would increase penalties for illegally taking or possessing lake sturgeon in the state of Michigan, according to Cavitt's office.
Lake sturgeon are native to Michigan and belong to an ancient family of fish that dates back approximately 136 million years, the release stated. Michigan has listed lake sturgeon as a threatened species since 1994, and state, tribal, and federal partners continue restoration and rehabilitation efforts.
"Poaching should never be viewed as a victimless violation," Cavitt added in the release. "Every mature sturgeon represents years, even decades, of growth, and a potential contribution to the next generation of fish. We need our penalties to recognize the value of these animals and provide a firm deterrent against harming them."
HB 6409 was referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources and Tourism for further consideration.
Kayla Wikaryasz can be reached at 989-358-5688 or kwikaryasz@TheAlpenaNews.com.