NY's Threatened Sunfish Decline Despite Efforts

A species of northern sunfish, first identified as distinct in 2013, is now under state protection in New York, holding threatened status. This designation makes it illegal to harvest or keep these fish. Historically, populations were known in Niagara and Orleans counties, with Tonawanda Creek serving as the last known stable population center.

Efforts in 2008 to stabilize the Tonawanda Creek population by establishing brood stock at a hatchery proved unsuccessful, with the fish undetectable for a decade. Researchers suspect increased competition from native green sunfish, which are more aggressive, and predation on eggs by the invasive brown goby are contributing factors. Hybridization with other sunfish species is also a concern, potentially reducing reproductive viability and degrading the northern sunfish's unique gene pool.

In 2023, nearly 3,000 northern sunfish were reintroduced into Tonawanda Creek. However, sampling in both 2023 and 2024 has yielded disappointing results, with fish numbers showing a steady decline. Despite these setbacks, the Department of Environmental Conservation plans further sampling this month to assess survival and reproduction, and is actively developing a species management plan to bolster their numbers.