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Eastern Band of Indians Use Technology to Preserve Rare Native Fish

CHEROKEE, N.C. – The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), working alongside the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies, are trying a new approach to conserve and restore the Sicklefin Redhorse, an imperiled fish native to western and Tennessee waters.

Beginning in 2007, the EBCI and U.S. Fish and Wildlife authorities focused on reintroducing juvenile fish to the upper above the Ela Dam in an effort to restore the fishery. “We found that many of these small fish were being transported downstream over the dam during high flow events,” said Mike LaVoie, EBCI Fisheries and Wildlife Management program manager. “This meant they couldn’t return to tribal waters.”

A new program involves moving adult fish that are surgically implanted with radio-tracking devices to tribal waters. “We captured 10 adult fish, both male and female, from the Tuckasegee River which were then reintroduced into waters above the dam,” says LaVoie.

“We will be tracking the fish with a specialized radio receiver and antenna to locate the fish on a weekly basis and taking detailed measurements to evaluate the results of the restoration efforts. The transmitters in the fish will be active for approximately 1.5 years.”

“The goal is to continue to restore the Sicklefin Redhorse to its traditional habitat on the , and also to better understand the species’ movement patterns, habitat use and reproductive ecology in their new home.” We plan to adapt future restoration strategies for the fish from information gained from this study,” says LaVoie.

EBCI Principal Chief Michell Hicks commented: “The Sicklefin Redhorse sustained our Cherokee people through many long winters as a primary source of protein and now it's our responsibility to ensure its survival. Ultimately, our objective is to ensure that this fish and its relationship with Cherokee culture is both restored and maintained for future generations.”

The new Sicklefin Redhorse program represents another Eastern Band effort to preserve and restore ’s eco-system. The tribe recently began reintroducing white tail deer onto tribal lands to rebuild a population once depleted by the fur trade and hunting.

The sicklefin, which was not recognized by the scientific community as a separate species until 1992, had been eliminated from about 50% of the Little Tennessee and Hiwassee watersheds due to habitat degradation and fragmentation from dams.

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For Information: Lynne Harlan | 828.554.6712 | [email protected] | VisitCherokeeNC.com

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Once important to the Cherokee diet, the Sicklefin Redhorse is distinctive due to the fish’s prominent curved dorsal fin. The long-lived sucker species can grow to 25 inches in length. The fish were dried and used in soup during the winter as a rich seasonal component in Cherokee subsistence.

“The Red Sicklefin were fundamental to the Cherokee peoples’ livelihood for many centuries. Fish were traditionally captured in V-shaped fish weirs scattered throughout the large streams in the southern Appalachians,” explains Lavoie. “Located next to historic settlements, these ingenious devices funneled fish into basket traps made of oak or hickory splits.”

“In the end, this project is focused on returning a rare and culturally significant fish to its historic distribution on and off of Cherokee lands,” said LaVoie.

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For Information: Lynne Harlan | 828.554.6712 | [email protected] | VisitCherokeeNC.com