An aquatic biologist with the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority says the local watershed is facing many of the same issues that are threatening fresh water fish around the world.
According to a recent report from the World Wildlife Fund, thousands of fish species are facing "catastrophic" decline and one-third of freshwater fish face extinction.
Kari Jean says most of her work is done in the Ausable watershed.
"The Ausable actually has quite a few species of fresh water fish and fresh water mussels, almost 85 different kinds of fish and 26 different kinds of fresh water mussels and some of those are quite rare and are considered species at risk," says Jean.
And while globally the biggest threat is habitat degradation, Jean says there are other local issues.
"I would say the biggest threat to our species at risk in our fresh water system are sediment and nutrient input as well as water leaving the landscape quite quickly and entering the river and this time of year, for example, it really builds up and there are some significant flows," Jean adds.
