150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years
This list is still in progress and being added to weekly. Check back again soon!
150 Fishes to Celebrate 150 Years
In 2020, the American Fisheries Society will celebrate its 150th Anniversary. As part of the celebration, the Society will be calling attention to 150 fishes. We solicited nominations of fishes for the list by the Society’s membership.
The 150 Fishes list is a celebration of the biodiversity of freshwater and marine fishes of North America. These fishes will help tell the story of fish and fisheries of the continent. They may illustrate unique life histories, beauty, conservation issues, and challenges of managing and conserving these animals and their habitats. These fishes represent our native biodiversity, but also illustrates how invasives and our own human nature have had impacts on our aquatic resources. Hence, this list will primarily focus on native species but may include non-natives when they tell a compelling fisheries story. From the stories of these fishes, the Society and the public can learn to better appreciate these amazing natural resources and be challenged to ensure that future generations will be able to experience these fishes in their native settings.
Nomination Process
Fish nominations are now closed.
Circulation Process
The 150 Fishes list will reside at the 150th Anniversary Website, information about individual fish from the list will be circulated through various social media platforms throughout the year.
This list is meant to be a fun for members and informative for the public. It is unlikely we will be able to include all nominations. We acknowledge that every fish has a story. There may be opportunities to discuss all the nominated fishes in the future.
FULL LIST OF NOMINATED FISH
| Catchy Title | Colored like the New Mexican sunset |
|---|---|
| Common Name of Fish | Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout |
| Scientific Name of Fish | Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis |
| Image of Fish |  |
| Image Caption and Credit | Photo Credit: New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish |
| Description of Why This Fish Is Important/Interesting | With brass colored sides transitioning to bronze backs complete with sparse spotting patterns, vivid red flanks and the characteristic vibrant orange slash under its throat, Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout are without a doubt one of the most beautiful trout on the landscape. Not only are they gorgeous, they possess a feisty willingness to eat a fly or lure that is a trademark among Cutthroat. They inhabit the desert southwest and can be found in the cold, clean waters of high elevation streams and lakes throughout New Mexico and Southern Colorado. They are the southernmost occurring species of Cutthroat Trout and are a prized target of adventurous anglers. They don't reach the trophy sizes of their northern neighbors, but those that catch one seldom complain. |
| Website or Journal Article for More Information | http://www.wildlife.state.nm.us/fishing/native-new-mexico-fish/rio-grande-cutthroat-trout/ |
| Your Name | Tucker Brauer |