The Shortnose Cisco, once thought extinct in the Great Lakes, has been rediscovered in Lake Superior, surprising scientists who believed the fish was no longer present in any of the Great Lakes. The fish was last recorded in Lake Michigan in 1982 and Lake Huron in 1985, and was believed to be extinct. However, recent surveys on Lake Superior have found Shortnose Cisco, leading to excitement among researchers.
The discovery has significance in understanding the native fish species of the Great Lakes and the impact of invasive species and overfishing on their populations. Efforts are underway to restore native cisco species to the Great Lakes, including the stocking of young fish in habitats where they once thrived. These restoration efforts aim to restore balance to the ecosystem and support the Great Lakes fishery, which is valued at $7 billion annually.
The rediscovery of the Shortnose Cisco has vindicated early fishery researcher Walter Koeltz, who identified the fish in Lake Superior in the 1920s but was later doubted by subsequent researchers. The confirmation of the fish’s presence in Lake Superior highlights the importance of understanding and protecting native fish species in the Great Lakes for the health of the ecosystem.
Overall, the rediscovery of the Shortnose Cisco on Lake Superior brings hope for the restoration of native fish populations in the Great Lakes and underscores the resilience and adaptability of these species in the face of changing environmental conditions. Fisheries managers are working towards restoring other coregonine species in the Great Lakes to promote ecosystem stability and future sustainability.
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