kunimasu

A team of researchers from Japan found a fish thought to be extinct for the last 70 years.

The fish is called the black kokanee or in Japanese, "kunimasu". It thrived before in Lake Tazawa, 310 miles away from Lake Saiko where it was found, but a hydroelectric project made its habitat more acidic. Since then, its numbers steadily declined. The Environment Ministry listed it as extinct in 1940.

"I was really surprised. This is a very interesting fish – it's a treasure. We have to protect it and not let it disappear again," said Tetsuji Nakabo, a professor at Kyoto University who was with the researchers that found the fish.

They found enough number of kunimasu for the species to survive, so long as the current environment is maintained. Nakabo also hoped the fishermen will leave it alone.

The fishermen's organization had a meeting last December 15, to talk about making the kunimasu's area in the lake as a no-fishing zone. They will be discussing this with the town government, residents and others.

Source:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20101217p2a00m0na015000c.html
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/15/scientist-says-he-found-j_n_796978.html
http://www.kfc1091.jp/Photo_Gallery/2007/pgal2007.html