A surprising discovery has been made by scientists in the Great Lakes region. The Shortnose Cisco, a fish believed to be extinct for nearly 40 years, was rediscovered in Lake Superior, a lake where it was previously not believed to exist. The Shortnose Cisco is part of a group of fish known as coregonines, which historically inhabited the Great Lakes in abundance. Overfishing and the introduction of invasive species led to a decline in their numbers, with some species being considered extinct.
Scientists from the US Geological Survey have been conducting research on coregonine species in Lake Superior by using various methods such as trawler nets and genetics research. During these studies, the Shortnose Cisco was identified among the fish collected, marking a significant discovery. This finding corroborated earlier research by Walter Koeltz, a pioneer in coregonine research, who had identified the Shortnose Cisco in Lake Superior in the 1920s.
Efforts are now being made to restore native cisco species to the Great Lakes, with the hope that this could help improve the overall health of the ecosystem. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources has been successful in stocking cisco populations in Saginaw Bay, leading to the survival and adaptation of young cisco fish. Similar initiatives are being undertaken in other areas of the Great Lakes to restore coregonine species and enhance the resilience of the ecosystem.
While some may question the focus on cisco restoration over popular sports fish, experts believe that reintroducing native fish species can provide stability and resilience to the Great Lakes in the face of future challenges. By strategically bringing back these flexible and adaptable fish, the hope is to create a healthier and more sustainable ecosystem for generations to come.
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