ARIZONA NEWS

Arizona state fish coming off federal endangered and threatened species list

Sep 4, 2024, 3:00 PM | Updated: Sep 5, 2024, 9:52 am

The Apache Trout, aka the Arizona state fish, is coming off the federal endangered and threatened s...

The Apache Trout, aka the Arizona state fish, is coming off the federal endangered and threatened species list. (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo)

(U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Photo)

PHOENIX – After decades of conservation efforts, the Arizona state fish is coming off the federal endangered and threatened species list, officials announced Wednesday.

The Apache trout, one of two trout species native to the Grand Canyon State, has been under the protection of the Endangered Species Act since 1973, first as endangered and then as threatened.

“This recovery is a testament to the importance of the Endangered Species Act and its tools and resources that are allowing the Interior Department and the federal government to protect vital species in every corner of America,” Interior Secretary Deb Haaland said in press release.

Haaland joined Gov. Katie Hobbs, other officials and conservation partners in Mesa to celebrate the occasion.

“Thank you to the hard work of the White Mountain Apache Tribe, Arizona Game and Fish, the Interior Department and everyday Arizonans on the ground who all played essential roles in making today possible,” Hobbs said in a release.

Where is Arizona state fish habitat?

The Apache trout is found in freshwater streams in eastern Arizona’s White Mountains.

The Arizona state fish is the first sportfish and the first trout to be removed from the federal endangered and threatened wildlife list due to recovery, according to the Interior Department.

In 1979, when a recovery plan for the Apache trout was initiated, 14 known populations occupied 30 miles of habitat. Today, there are 30 populations occupying 175 miles.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed the delisting in August 2023.

Not everybody is celebrating Wednesday’s news. The Arizona-based Center for Biological Diversity believes it’s too soon to lift protections on the state fish, calling it a PR stunt.

“Delisting the Apache trout is premature and reckless,” Robin Silver, the nonprofit conservation group’s founder, said in a statement. “The species faces numerous existential threats including climate change, isolation in small and nonsustainable population clusters, habitat destruction by cows and feral horses, harm from nonnative trout and empty promises of protection by federal agencies with pitiful track records.”

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Pass it along to the KTAR News team here.

Arizona News

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approv...

David Veenstra

2 state employees convicted of receiving bribes

Two Arizona Department of Economic Security Employees were convicted of receiving bribes to approve unemployment insurance claims.

7 hours ago

pay raise for troopers Arizona Department of Public Safety 2025...

Serena O'Sullivan

Katie Hobbs says DPS troopers, who seized 2,647 pounds of fentanyl pills last year, deserve 5% raise

Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs reiterated her desire to institute a pay raise for troopers with the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Tuesday.

8 hours ago

FILE - This undated booking photo provided by the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation...

David Veenstra

Arizona Supreme Court grants request to carry out state’s 1st execution since 2022

The Arizona Supreme Court granted a request to carry out the state's first execution since 2022, authorities announced on Tuesday.

10 hours ago

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself an...

David Veenstra

Arizona woman pleads guilty in fraud scheme that benefited North Korea

An Arizona woman pleaded guilty in a fraud scheme that generated millions of dollars for herself and for North Korea. 

11 hours ago

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor i...

David Veenstra

Retired LA deputy convicted of luring a minor in Arizona

A retired deputy from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department was convicted of luring a minor in Arizona, authorities announced on Tuesday.

12 hours ago

Man shot in head in Tempe...

KTAR.com

Man shot in head in Tempe trying to drive himself to hospital crashes into vehicles

A man who was shot in the head and attempting to drive himself to the hospital crashed into two vehicles on Tuesday afternoon, authorities said.

13 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Collins Comfort Masters

Collins Comfort Masters: Your go-to plumbing experts in Arizona

Collins Comfort Masters, a trusted name in HVAC, water and plumbing since 1985, is you go-to plumbers for the residents of Phoenix and the Valley.

...

Fiesta Bowl Foundation

Join us for the 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade

The 52nd annual Vrbo Fiesta Bowl Parade presented by Lerner & Rowe returns on Saturday, December 28, at 10 a.m.

...

Bright Wealth Management

How to save money on retirement planning following 2024 election

PHOENIX -- With the 2024 election over, economic changes could impact how people plan for retirement as 2025 is on the horizon.

Arizona state fish coming off federal endangered and threatened species list