Miles To Go Before I Meep

A fish swimming in the Great Lakes today may have been alive before many colonial settlements existed in the region.

A new scientific study suggests lake sturgeon may live far longer than previously believed. Using 44 years of tagging and recapture data from five Great Lakes populations, researchers estimated that male lake sturgeon may live 90 to 279 years, while females could potentially reach 99 to 427 years.

For many years, scientists estimated sturgeon age by counting growth rings in fin spines, similar to tree rings. Researchers now say that method becomes less reliable as lake sturgeon age because their growth slows and the rings become increasingly difficult to distinguish. By tracking individual fish over decades, the study offers a new way to understand how long these ancient fish may live.

The findings also align with knowledge long shared by some Indigenous communities, whose oral traditions have described lake sturgeon as exceptionally long-lived beings. In many Great Lakes cultures, sturgeon hold deep importance as part of foodways, seasonal knowledge, and relationships with waterways.

Lake sturgeon were once heavily harvested and treated as nuisance fish in the late 1800s, contributing to major population declines. According to Michigan DNR reporting, less than 1% of historic Great Lakes lake sturgeon numbers remain. Because they mature slowly and reproduce over many decades, recovery takes time across generations.

The study highlights the value of long-term monitoring and collaboration among Tribal Nations, fisheries researchers, universities, and conservation agencies. Protecting healthy rivers, spawning habitat, and connected waterways remains important for the future of this species.

For @creatingblackcharacters Melanin Beam Challenge, I did Kira Nerys and Jadzia Dax from Star Trek Deep Space Nine!

is Mystery Inc. a polycule? - based on every Scooby-Doo adaptation:

TV Shows

Scooby-Doo, Where Are You! - Yes, absolutely. It’s the fucking ‘60s and they’re hippies who live in a van with their dog

The New Scooby-Doo Movies - Yes

The Scooby-Doo Show - They’re on-again off-again

Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo - No

The New Scooby-Doo and Scrappy-Doo Show - No

The 13 Ghosts of Scooby-Doo - No

A Pup Named Scooby-Doo - No, not yet

What’s New, Scooby-Doo? - Yes, but they’re less hippie-dippie about it. more like a modern, Y2K polycule

Shaggy and Scooby-Doo Get a Clue! - No

Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated - Yes, their bond after that finale is inseparable

Be Cool, Scooby-Doo! - No, not yet, but they’re on their way there

Scooby-Doo and Guess Who? - Yes

Velma - No

Movies

Scooby-Doo Meets the Boo Brothers - No

Scooby-Doo and the Ghoul School - No

Scooby-Doo! and the Reluctant Werewolf - No

Scooby-Doo! in Arabian Knights - No

Scooby-Doo on Zombie Island - They previously drifted apart and are now in the awkward getting-back-together phase, but nonetheless Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Witch’s Ghost - Yes, and the Hex Girls (they’re a polycule too btw) probably join every now and then

The Scooby-Doo Project - No, too dysfunctional

Scooby-Doo and the Alien Invaders - Yes

Scooby-Doo and the Cyber Chase - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Legend of the Vampire - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Monster of Mexico - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Loch Ness Monster - Yes

Aloha, Scooby-Doo! - Yes

Scooby-Doo! in Where’s My Mummy? - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Pirates Ahoy! - Yes

Chill Out, Scooby-Doo! - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Goblin King - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and the Samurai Sword - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Abracadabra-Doo - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Camp Scare - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Legend of the Phantosaur - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Music of the Vampire - Yes, absolutely

Big Top Scooby-Doo! - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Mask of the Blue Falcon - Yes. Blue Falcon and Dyno-Mutt are allies

Scooby-Doo! Adventures: The Mystery Map - they’re on-again off-again, but mostly Yes

Scooby-Doo! Stage Fright - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Wrestlemania Mystery - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Frankencreepy - They’re on the rocks for a moment there but nonetheless Yes

Scooby-Doo! Moon Monster Madness - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and Kiss: Rock and Roll Mystery- Yes. Kiss are not allies

LEGO Scooby-Doo! Haunted Halloween - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon - Yes

Scooby-Doo! Shaggy’s Showdown - Yes

LEGO Scooby-Doo! Blowout Beach Bash - Yes

Scooby-Doo! & Batman: The Brave and The Bold - Yes. Batman is an ally

Scooby-Doo! and the Gourmet Ghost - Yes. Bobby Flay is hesitant but slowly becomes an ally

Scooby-Doo! and the Curse of the 13th Ghost - They’ve sense reunited and warmed to one another, so Yes

Scooby-Doo! Return to Zombie Island - No

Happy Halloween, Scooby-Doo! - Yes

Scooby-Doo! The Sword and the Scoob - Yes

Straight Outta Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog - Yes. Courage and Muriel are allies, Eustace is not

Trick or Treat, Scooby-Doo! - Yes

Scooby-Doo! and Krypto, Too! - Yes. Krypto and Superman are allies

SCOOB! - No, and Blue Falcon and Dyno-Mutt are definitely not allies

Scooby-Doo (live action 2002) - They break up but reconcile and get back together, so Yes

Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed - Yes

Scooby-Doo! The Mystery Begins - they’re on-again off-again

Scooby-Doo! Curse of the Lake Monster - they’re on-again off-again

Daphne & Velma - No