Coaster Brook Trout Could Be Listed
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service just announced that it is considering placing the coaster brook trout on the Endangered Species List. The coaster is a unique life-history form of brook trout that spawns in the tributaries of Lake Superior and moves out into the lake to grow to an exceptionally large size.
I wrote a blog entry on coaster brook trout a while back, with links to more information on coasters. In addition, you can learn more about coaster research from Northern Michigan University’s Fish Biology Lab.
One complication that may arise with the potential listing of coasters is the fact that they are essentially genetically identical to their smaller brook trout counterparts, which exist at healthy population levels. However, unique subpopulations and life-history forms can be listed separately under the ESA, and have been in the past.
Stay tuned for more info on the status of coaster brook trout.
I noticed this story too. Unfortunately, I wouldn’t hold my breath waiting for a listing; the current administration’s approach to listings is to circumvent the ESA whenever possible.
In this case, they’ll cite the existence of other Brookie populations, and forgo the listing (like they did with the fluvial grayling).
March 20th, 2008 at 10:53 am
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March 22nd, 2008 at 6:16 am