Shortjaw cisco COSEWIC assessment and status report: chapter 13

Evaluation

The absence of Coregonus zenithicus from Lakes Michigan (since 1975), Huron (since 1982), and Erie (since 1957) supports a conclusion that the species has been extirpated in these lakes (Todd 1985). The great and gradual decline of the species in Lake Superior throughout this century, coupled with its extirpation in the lower Great Lakes, should be viewed with alarm. And, the introduction of smelt into at least some of the remaining habitat of the shortjaw cisco in Canada could ultimately be detrimental to the species. The species is vulnerable to excessive food harvest, habitat degradation, and introduced exotic species throughout its range. Assessments of population abundance are especially needed from most of the Canadian lakes in which the species is extant in addition to Lake Superior. Previously considered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as a Category 2 species for potential listing under the U.S. Endangered Species Act, the species currently occupies an indeterminate status following elimination of these categories (Department of Interior 1996). Presently, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering the shortjaw cisco for designation as a candidate for potential listing as Threatened or Endangered , and, in support of this potential designation, is considered as a “Species at Risk” by the U.S. Geological Survey for priority in research. The shortjaw cisco was designated as “Threatened” by the Committee on Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (Houston 1988), considered as “May Be at Risk” by the Province of Alberta (Steinhilber and Ruhde 2001), listed as “Threatened” by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (MIDNR 1974, Latta 1998), and listed as “Endangered” by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (WDNR 1975). “Threatened” status is recommended for this species throughout its range.

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