Arizona’s state fish, the Apache trout , was removed from threatened species status by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Wednesday during a ceremony at Bass Pro Shops in Mesa.
It marks the first trout species and the first sport fish delisted from protections under the Endangered Species Act, a success credited to a 50-year-long partnership between federal, state, tribal and nonprofit organizations, said Interior Secretary Deb Haaland.
Seven of the golden-scaled trout were on display in a temporary tank set up next to the sporting goods store’s huge fish tanks. Although the center of attention, the fish seemed more interested in exploring their water than in the pomp and ceremony celebrating their species’ recovery.
The Interior secretary joined with White Mountain Apache Chairman Kasey Velasquez, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs and a gaggle of federal, state and nonprofit conservation leaders to make the formal announcement.
“One of my favorite parts of this job is getting to see fish and wildlife in their natural habitat and connect with folks who work every day on a single mission: protect these critters and the places they call home,” Haaland said.