Talk:Aurora trout

Assessment

Assessed mid-importance for WikiProject Fishes because of conservation status. Neil916 (Talk) 00:50, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Introduction

The Aurora trout are considered to be a sub species of the Brooke Trout. They were originally believed to be the brook trout with a simple color distinction. Through further examination in 1967 of their features they were designated as a sub-species.*(insert citation) Differences in features include the lack of yellow and red spots that are common to the brook trout. (Jemacleod (talk) 00:37, 2 November 2012 (UTC))

History

The Aurora Trout was originally found in North Eastern Ontario and was named by William H. Rinkenbach after the Canadian Northern Lights. Paul Graf, manager of the provincial fish hatchery in Charlton, Ontario, breeded the Aurora in captivity. He is responsible for today’s population. Graf wasn’t the first to bring eggs into captivity. A.Elsey a biologist at Swastika took 10,000 eggs from connecting streams and attempted to increase the population. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful due to human handling of the eggs. The following time the eggs were caught in a different area rather than streams and were airlifted rather than human hands. This attempt was successful, but the population is increasing again due to acid rain. The Aurora trout can now be found in 12 different lakes including the two original. The committee on the status of Wildlife labeled the species to be endangered and it is still on that list. The trout is protected by the Federal Fisheries Act. (Jemacleod (talk) 02:04, 1 November 2012 (UTC))

Environment

Native to only two lakes in the whole world, the aurora trout is facing possible extinction. The two lakes which the trout is native to, Whirligig and Whitepine, are located in northern Ontario, in close proximity to metal smelters. In the 1960s the lakes were so affected by acid rain, that the pH balance became not good enough for the unique aurora trout. Reintroduction of aurora trout was attempted in the 1990s following a whole-lake liming to develop water pH. This proved successful, and populations of the aurora trout since then have been steady. However, in 2001 and 2002 the pH once again dropped to critical levels. The Aurora trout spawns only in lakes with groundwater springs, and changes in the quality or quantity of these springs can affect the fish drastically. Acid raid, the main cause of the trout’s original disappearance from its original habitat, continues to pose a major threat; the trout’s survival depends upon the maintenance of water pH at acceptable levels. As well, industrial activity such as logging and mining continue to putting too much stresses on the species. The endangered aurora trout are a special Canadian treasure, worthy of our attention. Past human activities have threatened the native populations, it is now critical to learn from the past to ensure that this ecological treasure is not lost forever.(Jemacleod (talk) 01:48, 1 November 2012 (UTC))

Aurora trout occurred naturally in Whitepine Lake and Whirligig Lake in northeastern Ontario, and has been reintroduced to these two lakes and 10 others. Aurora trout prefer colder waters—below 20°C and look for these by moving to deeper water or by inhabiting groundwater springs. A water pH of at least five is essential for the fish to reproduce successfully and flourish. (Jemacleod (talk) 02:07, 1 November 2012 (UTC))

Cause of endangerment

The Aurora Trout is both provincially and nationally endangered and is at risk as a species because of different forms of pollution that is affecting their environment. Acid rain and very low levels of pH in the water are causing extreme decreased reproduction rates. Found only in the Temagami District in Ontario, the Aurora trout live in lakes of high elevation and only reproduces in lakes that have underground springs. Changes to the sources of the underground springs can have significant affects on the Aurora trout. The main reasons the Aurora trout are currently at risk are Acid rain runoff and low pH levels in the water, which affect their ability to actively reproduce at a normal rate. This deficit in production levels has had drastic effects on population. In addition, mining, logging and other industrial activities are presently posing problems for the trout. (Jemacleod (talk) 01:32, 1 November 2012 (UTC))

Attempts at re-population

COSEWIC and SARA (Species at Risk Act) have designated the Aurora Trout as endangered and protected and is protected under the federal Fisheries Act. Previous attempts to save the Aurora trout population has been made by breeding the species in captivity and rereleasing them into their natural habitat. As a result the trout is currently reproducing in a naturally self-sustaining manner in one of the lakes. Continual monitoring of the quality of water, phytoplankton, zooplankton, and benthic invertebrates in native lakes every month and assessments of population with regards to this data collection. Further development in the captivity breeding and reintroduction methods that are taking place at Hill’s Lake Fish Culture Station are to increase the genetic material that can be collected by enlarging the number of families. (Jemacleod (talk) 01:33, 1 November 2012 (UTC))

References

http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/species-especes/Trout-aurora-omble-p-eng.htm

http://www.auroratrout.com/ Eemackinnon (talk) 00:54, 12 October 2012 (UTC)

http://www.wwf.ca/conservation/species/sarrfo/trout/ Jemacleod (talk)