2023-07-17 12:30:48
Will the waters of the Doubs soon be orphaned of their queens and their kings? A “last chance operation” is currently taking place in the Jura to try to find the last specimens of apron in order to preserve the species.
Nicknamed “King of the Doubs”, the apron (Zingel asper) is an emblematic fish of this Franco-Swiss river. However, like trout, it is very rare. A few dozen individuals might still populate the stream, probably not more. In the most pessimistic scenario, it would even have already disappeared. Only one certainty: it was observed for the last time two years ago, upstream of Saint-Ursanne, in the Jura.
Therefore, an operation is currently being carried out to try to find the last specimens. During the night, specialists equipped with headlamps go up on foot in the bed of the river hoping to find the rare pearl, on the lookout for the slightest flicker. Because at night, the apron is motionless and its eyes reflective. He then lets himself be captured a little more easily.
“It’s a fish which is very well camouflaged, which does not move, and it is not very big. So you have to be very attentive”, explained Monday in the 12:45 of the RTS Céline Barrelet, in charge of the Doubs project alive.
Biodiversity collapse
“We are on the verge of total extinction of the species. So the idea is to preserve the genetic heritage of this fish and possibly to cross with other strains from the French Rhone basin”, says Jérôme Plomb, engineer at Aquarius, an environmental consulting firm.
Obviously, the chances of finding this fish in the Doubs are slim, which raises the concern of the canton of Jura and the Confederation, which is leading this research project.
“Finally, it is also a reflection of the collapse of biodiversity in rivers and elsewhere,” comments Laurent Gogniat, head of nature at the Jura Office for the Environment. “So it’s true that there is concern, and indeed enthusiasm to try to be able to save all or part of this strain of the Doubs apron.”
Other nocturnal and diurnal prospecting actions will still take place in the coming weeks, following which a difficult assessment will be necessary.
Daniel Bachmann/jop
1689598863
#Nicknamed #King #Doubs #apron #deserted #kingdom #rts.ch