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Rare Fish Conservation
There are 10 species of fish listed as Endangered, Threatened, or of
Special Concern under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act. These
species range from the coldwater Longnose Sucker found in flowing waters
of western Massachusetts, to the prehistoric-looking Shortnose Sturgeon
found in the larger Connecticut and Merrimack Rivers, to the American
Brook Lamprey found in select watersheds of southeastern Massachusetts,
Cape Cod, and Martha's Vineyard.
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Freshwater fishes are vulnerable to sedimentation, changes in water
temperatures, excess pollutants, extreme water level changes, and barriers
to movement, such as dams or poorly designed stream crossings. For more
information about these species, read the fact sheets that can be accessed
through the MESA
List.