ANOTHER Jumping Sturgeon Injures Boaters (Breaks Woman's Arm)

[matcom]

<snip>

SUN SPRINGS, Fla. -- A sturgeon on the Suwannee River injured two boaters Saturday when it leaped from the water, knocking one girl from the boat and breaking the arm of another passenger.

Cheyenne Russ, 9, and Jennifer K. Sullivan, 31, both of Lake City, were taken to Shands Hospital in Gainesville after the Saturday accident. Shands said Monday neither of the victims were listed in their system.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Dorvan Daniel witnessed the strike.

"I saw this vessel, operated by Scott Lockwood of Lake City, coming toward me at about 30 miles per hour. I watched as the fish jumped out of the water and heard the impact when it hit. The child was knocked out of the boat and into the water," Daniel said, who estimated the fish was 4 1/2-feet long.

The girl was not wearing a life jacket.

Maj. Bruce Hamlin, regional commander for the FWC's North Centeral Region, said the commission is planning to post signs along the Suwannee River warning of the dangers.

"Boaters have been seriously injured when hit by these fish. This is the sixth reported sturgeon strike this summer. We want to make the public aware that these fish are in the Suwannee and they do jump. We recommend boaters reduce their speed to reduce the risk of impact."

The fish winter in the Gulf of Mexico and enter the Suwannee in the summer and fall months to spawn. They can grow to 8 feet in length and weigh up to 200 pounds. Sturgeon are a protected species and cannot be harvested.

http://www.wftv.com/irresistible/9715882/detail.html

[Scout1071]

1. This is a huge problem in the Missouri River nowadays.

Some type of huge, Japanese jumping fish that is knocking out boaters, fishers, etc. They surmise that someone threw a couple of these guys in the river because they didn't want them anymore and they went crazy breeding in a place they weren't supposed to be.

[rug]

2. Don't worry, FEMA's on top of this.

[MissB]

3. The girl should've been wearing a life jacket.

I know, I know. Captain obvious.

[billyskank]

4. Ah, those things kill more people than they save

:P

[One_Life_To_Give]

6. What, expect FWC to enforce the law

Can't remind people that under 12 requires a Life Jacket when we got Drug Runners to bust.

[Deja Q]

5. Well, that redefines 'Way Down Upon the Swanee River'...

:wow:

Can't somebody catch and eat the fish? :9

And note to parents: If you love your offspring, buy 'em a floatation vest to wear!

[RevCheesehead]

7. Would that be Sturgecide?

I live 20 miles from Sturgeon Bay (WI), and I need to know if we should start a hotline or something.