Atlantic whitefish
Encyclopedia
The Atlantic whitefish (Coregonus huntsmani) is a freshwater salmonid fish inhabiting the northwestern Atlantic ocean
around the Canadian
province of Nova Scotia
, as well as some freshwater lakes within Nova Scotia. C. huntsmani was originally designated Coregonus canadensis, but the species name was changed in 1987. Other common names that C. huntsmani is known by are Acadian whitefish, sault whitefish, and cisco. The species was designated as an endangered species
by the World Conservation Union
in 1986 and in 1970, Nova Scotia prohibited the taking of Atlantic whitefish under the Canadian Fisheries Act
.
The Atlantic whitefish has a typical salmonid body shape and is silvery on the sides and underside with a dark blue to dark green back. They are anadromous, living most of their adult lives in coastal ocean water, but spawning in inland streams in Nova Scotia. Although much about them is unknown, it is believed that they feed on amphipods, small periwinkles
, and marine worms in ocean coastal waters and small fish, fish eggs, and invertebrates in freshwater.
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
around the Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
province of Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, as well as some freshwater lakes within Nova Scotia. C. huntsmani was originally designated Coregonus canadensis, but the species name was changed in 1987. Other common names that C. huntsmani is known by are Acadian whitefish, sault whitefish, and cisco. The species was designated as an endangered species
Endangered species
An endangered species is a population of organisms which is at risk of becoming extinct because it is either few in numbers, or threatened by changing environmental or predation parameters...
by the World Conservation Union
World Conservation Union
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources is an international organization dedicated to finding "pragmatic solutions to our most pressing environment and development challenges." The organization publishes the IUCN Red List, compiling information from a network of...
in 1986 and in 1970, Nova Scotia prohibited the taking of Atlantic whitefish under the Canadian Fisheries Act
Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Fisheries and Oceans Canada, frequently referred to as DFO , is the department within the government of Canada that is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs in support of Canada's economic, ecological and scientific interests in oceans and inland waters...
.
The Atlantic whitefish has a typical salmonid body shape and is silvery on the sides and underside with a dark blue to dark green back. They are anadromous, living most of their adult lives in coastal ocean water, but spawning in inland streams in Nova Scotia. Although much about them is unknown, it is believed that they feed on amphipods, small periwinkles
Common Periwinkle
The common periwinkle or winkle, scientific name Littorina littorea, is a species of small edible sea snail, a marine gastropod mollusk which has gills and an operculum, and is classified within the family Littorinidae, the periwinkles....
, and marine worms in ocean coastal waters and small fish, fish eggs, and invertebrates in freshwater.