Threatened redside dace discovered in King

The summer of 2006 is proving to be exciting for the Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority's (LSRCA) Senior Fisheries Biologist Jeff Andersen and his crew of volunteers with the discovery of a population of a threatened species in King Township.

Early last month, they discovered 10 redside dace at one site in Kettleby Creek.

He said they made the discovery with the aid of a back-pack electrofisher, which he described as "a glorified car battery."

This device puts a charge in the water which attracts the little fish without harming them. They were scooped up with nets, weighed, then released.

The redside dace is classified as threatened in Ontario, based on its declining populations. Nationally, it is classified as a species of special concern by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).

The discovery of a population of the minnow species was very encouraging to Andersen, as it is one of the 65 species at risk found in the Lake Simcoe watershed.

"I was expecting to find them," he remarked, adding he knew there were some in the area.

They had been having trouble finding them, however. They had carried out about 30 searches, using countless volunteer hours, and only found two of the fish, before last month's discovery.

"We're starting to pinpoint where they are," he said.

Andersen didn't want to specify where they were found, out of concern that collectors might try to gather some for their aquariums. He did say the area was between Jane and Keele Streets, north of Lloydtown - Aurora Road.

"Studies to determine the distribution and abundance of redside dace have been underway for the last four years within Kettleby and

Sharon Creek," Andersen stated. "Until this summer, only single species had been discovered at any given site. It is very encouraging to discover a small population of redsides inhabiting the creek."

The redside dace (Clinostomus elongatus) is a unique minnow species in that the majority of its diet is made up of terrestrial insects. It's large mouth is adapted to capture insects is mid-flight. Redsides prefer cool, clear headwater streams that display deep pools with grassy, overhanging vegetation. The bank vegetation provides cover to shade the stream and also attract insects.

As a representative on the the Redside Dace

Recovery Group, Andersen has a deep admiration for the species.

The recovery group is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Toronto Zoo, the Royal Ontario Museum, academia and conservation authorities, all dedicated to the protection and restoration of both the survival and recovery of the species.