College students help search for the endangered Maryland Darter

October 18, 9:52 AMHarford County Education Headlines ExaminerRichard Webster

Previous Next

1 comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Harford County Education Headlines Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

                        MD Department of Natural Resources Photo

Havre de Grace, Maryland traces its roots back to the 1608 voyage of Captain John Smith’s sail up the Susquehanna River and first meeting of the Iroquois Indians.

The creeks and streams of Havre de Grace flow into the lower portion of the Susquehanna River which empties into the Chesapeake Bay. Three creeks in Havre de Grace are the only known home to the Maryland Darter (Etheostoma sellare), a rare species which hasn’t been seen since 1988.

Listed as an endangered species, the Maryland Darter which hasn’t been seen in 21 years is protected by law. Farmers in the area must avoid spraying chemicals and pesticides near the creeks. Petitions to have the Maryland Darter listed as extinct in an effort to lift those restrictions were not approved because a thorough investigation and search for the fish had not been undertaken.

Now, faculty and students from Frostburg State and Marshall Universities will search the creeks, and that area of the Susquehana River where the Maryland Darter was last seen. The Maryland Department of Natural Resources says that if the fish is found, there may be an opportunity to save it.  The Maryland Darter, 2 – 3 inches in length, is identified by 4 dark stripes across its back and a spot behind each eye.
  

Maryland Department of Natural Resources