Contributed by Doug Carlson, Posted 9/25/24: Freshwater fish are to be reclassified as Endangered, Threatened or Special Concern by DEC’s Endangered Species Program, and they include the most sensitive species in the system. The program is designed to find and correct problems before certain species are gone forever. Changes are recommended by DEC’s Bureau of Fisheries for 39 species, and DEC is inviting public comment on their recommendations of the updated classifications and the species assessments. There are currently 19 species classified as Endangered or Threatened, and the revised recommendation is for 17. There are currently 5 species classified as Special Concern and the revised recommendation is for 16. Particularly favorable downgrading classifications are being recommended for Deepwater Sculpin, Eastern Sand Darter, Pugnose Shiner, Bluebreast Darter and Round Whitefish. Sixteen new species have been recommended for adding to the program, or for protection (Endangered or Threatened) or Special Concern. Updates to these classifications have typically occurred at 15-25 year intervals, so the open comment period is an important opportunity.

Comments are invited until October 18 and details are found at: Proposed Updates to the List of Endangered, Threatened, and Special Concern Fish and Wildlife Species of New York State.