Chapter 3 Species
Addendum 1
3.13.5 Freshwater Fishes
The Freshwater Fish Taxa Team reevaluated 198 species for consideration of conservation need and knowledge gap priorities. A few species of freshwater fish found in multiple river basins across the state have been grouped into population segments based on location (noted in Appendixes G, H, and P). The Freshwater Fish Taxa Team considered differences in level and severity of threats and amount of conservation activity occurring within each basin when evaluating these population segments. For example, Mimic Shiner ( Notropis volucellus ) is found in two Mountain and two Piedmont ecoregion river basins in North Carolina. Only the Piedmont populations found in the Neuse and Tar River basins are designated SGCN based on evaluation results because there are more significant threats from numerous sources in these basins. In comparison, the Mimic Shiner populations in Mountain river basins (French Broad and New River) are not currently a conservation concern because the number and level of threats are less severe and populations appear to be stable. Research published by Bagley et al. (2011) and Oswald et al . (2015) found genetic differences between certain Black Bass species found in Atlantic Slope waters. The Freshwater Fish Taxa Team members consider the species identified in North Carolina as Redeye Bass ( Micropterus coosae ), known from the Green River in North Carolina, to likely be a hybrid Redeye x Bartram’s Bass species. Bartram’s Bass ( Micropterus sp.) is an unnamed species similar to Redeye Bass that is found within the Savannah River basin. Based on the Team’s evaluation results, this species is added to the SGCN list for freshwater fishes. In May 2019, the USFWS announced that listing the Carolina Madtom for federal protection is warranted and has proposed listing it as endangered (USFWS 2019). The proposed listing also includes designation of Critical Habitat that covers approximately 257 river miles in 7 units in North Carolina. In addition to this federal listing change, the North Carolina legislature approved state listing recommendations for five freshwater fish species in October 2017 (NCAC 2017). The federal and state status for these species has been revised in Appendixes GA1-4 and PA1. The National Marine Fisheries Service designated critical habitat for Atlantic Sturgeon effective September 2017. As published, Specific occupied areas designated as critical habitat for the Carolina distinct population segment (DPS) of Atlantic sturgeon contain approximately 1,205 miles of aquatic habitat in the Roanoke, Tar-Pamlico, Neuse, Cape Fear (including Northeast Cape Fear), Waccamaw, and Pee Dee rivers in North Carolina. Physical features essential to the conservation of the species and that may require special management considerations or protection are hard bottom substrates in low salinity waters (0.0 – 0.5 ppt range), transitional
2020 Addendum NC Wildlife Action Plan
3A1-9
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