Description:
The Atlantic whitefish is a salmon-like fish with a black, dark green or blue back, a white underbelly, and silver coloured sides. This species is anadromous in parts of its Canadian range. This means that it lives in the ocean and spawns in freshwater. It is different from most other salmon-like fish because it has larger scales. Unlike the lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), which is also found in the Maritimes, this species has a mouth at he end of its snout instead of under the head. In addition, it has more vertebrae (> 64) and more lateral line scales (>90) than the lake whitefish.

Biology:
Little is known about the biology of the Atlantic whitefish. In one Canadian watershed, the species is a sea-run population. Here it is found in estuary and seawaters in the summer. It likely migrates into freshwater for the winter months to spawn, and returns to the sea in the spring. In the other Canadian watershed in which it occurs, the Atlantic whitefish population is landlocked, meaning that it spends its entire life in these freshwater lakes. The fish of the sea-run population appear to be larger than those living in the latter population. Atlantic whitefish seem to be found more often in the surface waters of lakes. Their diet ranges from flying insects to small fish. There is no information on this species’ spawning behaviour or early life history stages because young Atlantic whitefish have never been reported in Canada.

Population and Distribution:
The Atlantic whitefish is an endemic species in Canada, meaning that it is unique to this country. It is found only in the Tusket and Petite Riviere watersheds in southern Nova Scotia.

There are no estimates of population size available for the Atlantic whitefish. The population in the Tusket river system has declined in recent decades and a small remnant population may or may not remain. The species has been regularly reported in the Petite Riviere watershed since the late 1800’s, although, its population size is likely small in these lakes and in the lower Petite Riviere.

Habitat:
The specific habitat requirements are largely unknown for the Atlantic whitefish.

Threats:
The Tusket River dam and its ineffective fish ladders have posed barriers to the migratory Atlantic whitefish. Parts of this river are also very acidic, which may have affected the species’ reproductive ability. The spread of introduced fish predators (e.g. chain pickerel) appear to have posed significant threats to Atlantic whitefish. The Petite Riviere watershed is apparently better buffered against threats of acidification. Nonethelss, this threat requires monitoring. The possible spread of introduced fish (e.g. brook trout, smallmouth bass) in the Petite Riviere watershed poses significant threats to the Atlantic whitefish. Poaching, incidental fishing, and the restricted distribution of the animals also limit the recovery of the species.

Protection:
The Nova Scotia Fishery Regulations under the federal Fisheries Act has prohibited the taking of Atlantic whitefish from all waters of the province by any method at any time of the year since 1970. The species’ habitat is also protected by provincial legislation.

Recovery efforts:
Recovery Plan Status: in development

Program Goals: to clarify the species’ life history and habitat requirements; determine the impact of interactions with introduced fish species; continue collecting data on the distribution of the species through public consultations and sampling.

Long-Term Objectives:

- acquire baseline information to develop a formal recovery plan, via directed sampling and public consultations on the distribution of Atlantic whitefish;
- initiate a comprehensive tag recovery program to assist in the estimation of population size;
- develop a hatchery program, once the team has a better understanding of population levels and the relative health of the whitefish populations in the Petite River watershed.

Summary of Research/Monitoring Activities:

- 1999: monitored water quality in the watershed, using new testing devices; initiated a study to clarify the number and size of Atlantic whitefish in the Petite River; conducted a questionnaire to compile historical and local knowledge of the whitefish.
- ongoing: studying feasibility of culturing Atlantic whitefish.

Summary of Recovery Actions:

- 1999: closed recreational angling between Hebb and Millipsigate lakes in the Petite River watershed, a sensitive migration and staging area (stopping place along a migration route); converted a gillnet fishery for gaspereau in the Petite River estuary to a trial trapnet based fishery to eliminate incidental whitefish mortalities; produced a media program on the species, including a CBC news interview and several information pieces in local and provincial newspapers in Nova Scotia; developed Nova Scotia Fish Series Atlantic Whitefish factsheet for broad distribution to area landowners, anglers, and concerned groups and agencies; produced an illustration of the Atlantic Whitefish for a colour poster designed to identify the fish, its distinctive characteristics, and contact information for use when sightings of the fish occur; prepared a one-page insert to be put in the Nova Scotia Angling Summary, the angling booklet distributed to fishers upon obtaining their fishing license (the insert describes the fish’s protective status and gives contact numbers at Fisheries and Oceans Canada and provincial fisheries officials for fisherman to report sightings); distributed three press releases to newspapers that identified the species and stressed the importance of its protection; initiated an outreach program, holding several meetings with community groups to discuss the whitefish.
- 2001: initiated a project to identify the status of the Atlantic whitefish in the Tusket River and to assess the quality of its habitat.

Summary of Progress to Date:

Delimitation of the species distribution is progressing, as are efforts to develop assessment protocols. Basic biology parameters have been clarified.

Objectives (2001-2002):

- continue to study feasibility of culturing Atlantic whitefish;
- continue working on delimiting the distribution of this species, as well as better defining its habitat requirements.