The Apache Trout: A Conservation Success Story
Deep in the streams of eastern Arizona’s White Mountains, a conservation success story has unfolded. The Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, has been removed from the federal list of endangered and threatened species after decades of dedicated recovery efforts.
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland made the announcement during her visit to Arizona, marking a significant milestone in conservation efforts. The Apache trout is the first sportfish and trout species to be removed from the endangered species list, highlighting the collaborative efforts of federal, state, and tribal officials.
Haaland praised the Endangered Species Act for playing a crucial role in the recovery of the Apache trout, emphasizing the importance of conservation tools and resources provided by the Interior Department and the federal government. The success story was made possible by a $5.1 million investment from the Biden administration’s Investing in America program.
The Apache trout holds cultural significance for the White Mountain Apache Tribe and is one of the only two native trout species in the state of Arizona. The fish faced threats of habitat loss and competition from non-native species, leading to its protection under the Endangered Species Act in 1973 and subsequent designation as a threatened species in 1975.
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