Editor’s Note: This article contains graphic images, including offensive language.
An egregious act of wildlife vandalism has occurred in Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. The victims of said vandalism? Paddlefish.
Two separate fish were caught (live) with obscene language carved into the sides of their bodies, and one of the fish’s prominent paddle-shaped rostrum was carved into a sawtooth pattern.
On April 13, guide and angler Austin McClure posted a message on Facebook featuring graphic photos of carved-up paddlefish and a call to action with a reward for anyone who can provide details on the culprit of such heinous behavior.
“This has to stop, and someone needs held accountable for this cruel act, no matter your stance on paddlefish,” McClure said in his post.
McClure teamed up with other local guides and fishermen to offer money for information. The prize is currently $5,700 and growing with support from folks in the comment section.
McClure, who’s owned and operated McClure’s Guide Service for over eight years, understands that the paddlefishing season in Missouri is controversial. Some folks don’t like how many fish are kept during the 45-day season, but he trusts the biologists at the Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) to monitor population levels and adjust accordingly.
He also understands the paddlefish his clients and other anglers keep are prized table fare. And the memories of catching such a unique, prehistoric fish are treasured. That kind of care and reverence for a species was clearly not shared by whomever decided to cut into these fish and release them back into the water.
“It looks really negative on the fishery as a whole,” McClure told MeatEater.
McClure said it’s not uncommon to catch scarred-up paddlefish. He said they’re tough, resilient creatures—sometimes they’ll catch a prop and survive with scarring. He recently caught a fish that had been cut on something and, after consulting a local biologist, determined it spread into an infection across the skin.
It’s unknown if these fish would have been able to survive the carving they endured for very long. They could have become infected, and the severe cuts on the nose could have likely impaired feeding.
Five years ago, Florida wildlife officials were attempting to find the person responsible for carving the word “Trump” into a manatee’s back. Because manatees are protected under both the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, prosecution would have resulted in a Class A federal crime with a sentence of up to a year in prison and/or a $50,000 fine. Unfortunately, those responsible were never found.
Hopefully, the culprits of this atrocious act of wildlife vandalism are caught and brought to justice.
MDC told MeatEater that they are aware of the issue, and conservation agents are currently investigating the situation. If anyone has any information, MDC asks that they contact the Operation Game Thief hotline at (800) 392-1111.
Images via Austin McClure.
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