A research project is underway to investigate the declining population of the Arctic charr, one of England’s rarest fish.
Led by the Freshwater Biological Association (FBA), the study will focus on Windermere in the Lake District, where the species’ spawning grounds will be examined to uncover possible causes of their reduced numbers.
Arctic charr are more common in Nordic regions, but in England, they are now found only in the Lake District, with a separate population in Llyn Padarn, Snowdonia, Wales. Their presence in Windermere was a factor in the Lake District receiving UNESCO World Heritage status in 2017.
According to Professor Bernd Hänfling, a researcher on the project, Arctic charr are a “keystone species” in large, deep UK lakes.
“Their adaptation to cold, clear water makes them highly vulnerable to pollution and rising temperatures,” he said.
“This project will generate critical evidence to support the conservation of this enigmatic species.”
The FBA suspects several threats may be driving their decline, including climate change, pollution from waste water, and competition from invasive species.
Closely related to salmon and trout, Arctic charr rely on clean gravel beds for spawning.
Researcher Steve Thackeray said: “During this time of great environmental change, Arctic charr, a culturally-important cold-water fish species, have been in dramatic decline.
“By working together under this important project, we can gather vital evidence on this charismatic species, and help guide conservation efforts.”
The FBA aims to assess the current state of these spawning areas and determine whether the fish are still using traditional breeding sites.
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