AGASSIZ: A police patrol along the bank of the Fraser River took a twist from investigation to rescue a special one for RCMP First Nations Police (FNP) officers.

On the afternoon of September 20, FNP officers located a sturgeon stranded in a pond of low water on the bed of the Fraser River near Wahleach Road. The officers quickly recognized the fish would not be able to survive.

The RCMP immediately reached out to community partners and a plan was made for the safe capture and release of the stranded fish.

Early the next morning, FNP officers accompanied by biologists from the BC Ministry of Forest Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development, Lower Fraser River Guardians and a volunteer from the community travelled to the site. The 75-year-old sturgeon – measuring 8 feet in length and weighing an estimated 300 lbs – was safely captured by the team and released back into river.

“All in a day’s work – just one of the things we do,” says Sgt. Gerry Hansom of the RCMP.  “Strong community ties are important. The rescue was completed with the combined efforts of a number of resources pulling together.”