Species At Risk
Native plants and animals that are at risk of extinction or extirpation (disappearing from the province).
These species are listed under the Species at Risk Public Registry click below to learn more.ย
The Lower Thames Watershed holds 36 mussel species and 104 fish species.
The Thames River contains approximately 94 species of fish and 35 freshwater mussel species. Of the 94 fish species, 15 are considered to be species at risk (SAR), and of the 35 freshwater mussels, 14 are considered to be at risk.
This means that:
- 16% of fish are at risk in the Thames River
- 40% of freshwater mussels are at risk in the Thames River
- ๏ฌStewardship
Mussel and Fish Aquatic Species at Risk Guidebooks
Factsheets
Native, Non-Invasive Ontario Lamprey
Lampreys have been maligned as fish parasites, but not all species are parasiticโ and most are native, with some even being species at risk. Did you know, most native lamprey are now absent from 50% to 75% of the streams where they have historically been found.
Navigating the Waters of Fish Identification: Ontario Redhorses
Fishing in Rondeau Bay Flyer
Rondeau Bay is home to four additional SAR not found within the Thames River. The following flyer is designed to help you identify SAR from similar fish species in Rondeau Bay.
Mussels and fish are an important part of a healthy ecosystem and are of significant importance to humans. Fish provide us with a food source and recreational activities, while mussels are an important part of keeping our waters clean by removing pollutants. Many of the fish and mussel species in the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authorityโs (LTVCA) watershed are at risk due to habitat loss/degradation; sediment, nutrient and contaminant loading and invasive species.