The Apache trout, Arizona’s state fish, was removed from the federal endangered species Wednesday. It's the first trout and sportsfish to be taken off the list in U.S. history and, according to some, it’s a symbol of hope.
“Apache Trout are not write-off populations. They are harbingers of hope. They give us hope that we can actually take affirmative steps to make our landscapes more resilient to the effects of a changing climate," said Chris Wood, the president and CEO of Trout Unlimited, an organization he says has been helping Apache trout recovery efforts since the 1990s.
Now the fish occupies over 175 miles of habitat.
Arizona’s state lead for Trout Unlimited, Nate Rees, says now is the time to maintain the fish’s habitat so every kid has the opportunity to see thousands of golden Apache trout.
"It doesn’t mean we can throw up our hands and pat ourselves on the back. All this delisting means is that we work harder and keep prolonging the habitat for this species to thrive for future generations.”
A $5.1 million investment from the Biden administration will continue to support conservation efforts.
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland traveled to Arizona for the announcement.
She credited joint efforts by federal, state and tribal officials along with federal investment. Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, White Mountain Apache Tribe Chairman Kasey Velasquez, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Deputy Director Siva Sundaresan joined Haaland.
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