Ancient giant fish makes comeback in Swedish river

The salmon were released in Göta River about a hundred years ago – now the Atlantic salmon is to be reintroduced to its former home.

» Updated:

» Published:

Ancient giant fish makes comeback in Swedish river
Photo: Ryan Hagerty/U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service/TT

Share this article

Seventy years ago, I swam in the Göta River – now I'm going to be reintroduced to my former home.

Atlant sturgeon has large flat fins instead of normal fish scales, can grow over four meters long and weigh over 350 kilograms.

This ancient giant disappeared from the Göta River mainly due to intense fishing and poor water quality.

This summer, young sturgeons will be released into the river with the hope of bringing back the extinct species in Sweden.

Right now, some of the fish are being marked with small sound transmitters so that their movements can be tracked, reports Sveriges Radios Naturmorgon.

Atlant sturgeon lives for years at sea and then swims back to the river to spawn. Historical records suggest that it can live over a hundred years.

The species is an important piece of the river's ecosystem, according to Sportfiskarna, which is running the reintroduction project together with researchers at the University of Gothenburg and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

Tags

Author

TTT
By TTEnglish edition by Sweden Herald, adapted for local and international readers

More news

Police Initiate National Crackdown on Online Phishing Scams

Police Initiate National Crackdown on Online Phishing Scams

Storm Hits Stockholm: Thousands Face Power Outages

Storm Hits Stockholm: Thousands Face Power Outages

Social Media's Impact on Youth: Uncensored Violent Content Concerns

Social Media's Impact on Youth: Uncensored Violent Content Concerns

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Polish Airspace Violation

Sweden Summons Russian Ambassador Over Polish Airspace Violation

Bus Overturns on E4 in Linköping: Two Seriously Injured

Bus Overturns on E4 in Linköping: Two Seriously Injured

Fungal Disease Candida Auris Spreading Rapidly in Europe

Fungal Disease Candida Auris Spreading Rapidly in Europe

No Arrests Made After Elderly Man's Murder Near Skurup

No Arrests Made After Elderly Man's Murder Near Skurup

New Prison and Detention Facilities Approved in Halltorp and Kalmar

New Prison and Detention Facilities Approved in Halltorp and Kalmar

Sweden Considers Support for Poland After Russian Drone Attacks

Sweden Considers Support for Poland After Russian Drone Attacks

Rapid Flooding in Kubbe: Water Levels Reach Century-High

Rapid Flooding in Kubbe: Water Levels Reach Century-High

Elderly Man Dies in Torsås Drowning Accident

Elderly Man Dies in Torsås Drowning Accident

Sweden to Review Self-Defence Laws Amid Crime Concerns

Sweden to Review Self-Defence Laws Amid Crime Concerns

Sweden Commits 70 Billion Kronor in Military Aid to Ukraine

Sweden Commits 70 Billion Kronor in Military Aid to Ukraine

Criticism Grows Over Compulsory Intermediate Law Impacting Trust in Social Services

Criticism Grows Over Compulsory Intermediate Law Impacting Trust in Social Services

Historic Elm in Stockholm's Kungsträdgården Felled Due to Disease

Historic Elm in Stockholm's Kungsträdgården Felled Due to Disease

Constitutional Committee Delays Review of Landerholm Case

Constitutional Committee Delays Review of Landerholm Case

Elisabet Lann Called to Social Affairs Committee Over Abortion Comments

Elisabet Lann Called to Social Affairs Committee Over Abortion Comments

Harmless Powder Found at Östersund Social Insurance Agency

Harmless Powder Found at Östersund Social Insurance Agency

Bomb Squad Secures Suspected Object in Stockholm Residential Area

Bomb Squad Secures Suspected Object in Stockholm Residential Area

100 Students Absent from Växjö School Amid Suspected Stomach Flu Outbreak

100 Students Absent from Växjö School Amid Suspected Stomach Flu Outbreak