Report: climate change is reducing suitable fish habitats
(Harrisburg) — A new report from the National Wildlife Federation suggests climate change is putting additional stress on freshwater fish, and reducing their suitable habitats.
Ed Perry, the federation’s Pennsylvania outreach coordinator, says the additional stress is already affecting sport fishing in the commonwealth. He points to the diseased and dying smallmouth bass under investigation in the Susquehanna River.
“Before these kills started, when you’d go to the Susquehanna on a holiday weekend like Labor Day, the parking lots are full and the river is covered with boats,” Perry explains. “Three years after these kills started you could go on the Susquehanna during Labor Day and hardly see anyone.”
The report suggests brook trout — Pennsylvania’s official state fish — have already lost a third of their former range.
Sport fishing is a $1.3 billion industry in Pennsylvania.
A collection of interviews, photos, and music videos, featuring local musicians who have stopped by the WITF performance studio to share a little discussion and sound. Produced by WITF’s Joe Ulrich.
