Fond Du Lac Times

Congressmen Glenn Grothman (R-WI) and Mike Gallagher (R-WI) have introduced the Sturgeon Protected and Exempt from Absurd Regulations (SPEAR) Act, a bill aimed at protecting the annual sturgeon spearing on the Winnebago system in Wisconsin. The legislation seeks to proactively exempt the state from any listing of lake sturgeon under the Endangered Species Act, which is currently being considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

The potential listing of lake sturgeon as an endangered species has raised concerns among Wisconsin's sportsmen groups, who argue that the state has successfully managed the sturgeon population and that it is thriving. Congressman Grothman, who attended a rally in support of the bill, stated, "It is perplexing that some still label the sturgeon as endangered when the reality is that Wisconsin has a rapidly expanding population surpassing levels not seen in the past four decades."

Congressman Gallagher also emphasized the cultural and economic importance of sturgeon spearing to Northeast Wisconsin, stating, "Sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin is a long-cherished tradition and crucial to the livelihoods of our communities near Lake Winnebago." Both congressmen believe that the proposed legislation is a commonsense solution that will ensure the continuation of sturgeon spearing and Wisconsin's conservation success story for future generations.

The SPEAR Act has garnered support from various stakeholders, including Dr. Ron Bruch, former Chief of Fisheries and Leader of the statewide Sturgeon Management Team for the WI Department of Natural Resources. Dr. Bruch expressed his full support for the bill, stating, "Wisconsin does not list lake sturgeon endangered nor threatened in state waters, and has in place a sturgeon program considered a world model for effective management and recovery, and as such should be exempt from any Federal ESA listing of the species."

Sturgeon for Tomorrow, a partnership with the WI DNR, which has been instrumental in managing lake sturgeon in Wisconsin, is also in favor of the SPEAR Act. The five Sturgeon for Tomorrow chapter Presidents around the Winnebago System, including Jim Patt, Sally Gilson, Patt Braasch, Andy Horn, and Dean Schroeder, released a joint statement opposing the federal listing of lake sturgeon and supporting the proposed legislation.

The bill's introduction comes after Grothman and Gallagher, along with other Wisconsin lawmakers, signed a bipartisan letter expressing concerns about the potential listing of lake sturgeon on the Endangered Species List. The letter highlighted the importance of sturgeon spearing to Wisconsin and the state's successful management of sturgeon populations.

With a decision from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service expected in June, the SPEAR Act provides a preemptive solution to protect sturgeon spearing in Wisconsin. The bill aims to ensure that the state's conservation efforts and the cultural tradition of sturgeon spearing can continue uninterrupted.

The legislation is now in the hands of Congress, where it will undergo a thorough review and consideration.