May 14, 2007
DARTMOUTH, N.S. Gerald Keddy, Member of Parliament for South Shore--St.
Margaret's, joined Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) staff for the release of approximately
3,000 endangered Atlantic whitefish into the Petite Rivière water system near Bridgewater,
N.S.
"Canada's New Government has done much to help the fortunes of fish in Atlantic
Canada since we were elected," said Mr. Keddy. "The $30 million into the Atlantic
Salmon Endowment Fund was a major accomplishment. Today's release of endangered
Atlantic Whitefish is a first, and I am tremendously proud to have been personally
involved with this cause for many years."
This is the first time captivity-reared Atlantic whitefish have been released
into this system, and it represents an important collaboration between the federal
government, the provincial government, and community groups.
Bred and reared at Fisheries and Oceans Canada Mersey Biodiversity in
Milton, N.S., to help track the movement of these endangered fish, their adipose
fin --a small, fleshy fin located on the fish's back near the tail -- is removed.
Some also received tags that will help DFO staff learn more about the species' behaviour.
The removal of the adipose fin will make the fish distinguishable from the wild
Atlantic whitefish currently residing in the water system the last remaining wild
Atlantic whitefish population in the world.
The release follows through on a recommendation of the Atlantic Whitefish Conservation
and Recovery Team which includes members from various levels of governments, university
scientists, community groups, and concerned citizens. The Team provides advice to
DFO on recovery measures for the Atlantic whitefish.
This trial release into the Petite Rivière system is a significant step in learning
more about the behaviour and movements of this species within their natural habitat.
Over the past two years DFO has also released several thousand Atlantic whitefish
into a lake in Dartmouth, N.S., as part of a three-year trial project attempting
to establish a backup population.
The Atlantic whitefish is unique to Canada and is naturally found only in the
Petite Rivière water system. It is an endangered species protected under the
Species at Risk Act (SARA) which means those who fish in the Petite Rivière
water system must take necessary precautions to minimize their interactions with
Atlantic whitefish. If an Atlantic whitefish is accidentally caught, it must be
carefully released back into the water immediately. For more information please
contact your local DFO office. Or for more information about aquatic species at
risk and SARA, visit: www.aquaticspeciesatrisk.gc.ca.
[ Click on picture for a high resolution image ]
An endangered Atlantic whitefish is inserted with a hydro acoustic tag at the
Mersey Biodiversity Facility in Milton, N.S. The tags will help
DFO staff learn more about the species'
behaviour.
An endangered Atlantic whitefish is inserted with a hydro acoustic tag at the
Mersey Biodiversity Facility in Milton, N.S. The tags will help
DFO staff learn more about the species'
behaviour.
MP Gerald Keddy and DFO Biologist John Whitelaw release endangered Atlantic
White Fish into Petite Rivière water system near Bridgewater, N.S.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Communications Branch
Fisheries and Oceans Canada,
Maritimes Region
902-426-3550
CommEnquire@mar.dfo-mpo.gc.ca
