Iconic species list

Layer type(s): Sense of Place: Iconic Species sub-goal layer

Data description(s):
There was no known regionally appropriate list of iconic species so the list was created for this assessment.

Methods summary
Regional experts were sought out through focus groups to provide input on what species should be included in the Iconic Species list. These species should be those that are relevant to local cultural identity through a species’ relationship to one or more of the following: 1) traditional activities such as fishing, hunting or commerce; 2) local ethnic or religious practices; 3) existence value; and 4) locally-recognized aesthetic value.

List of species:

Common name Scientific name Conservation status available
American oyster Crossostrea virginia No
Blue crab Callinectes sapidus No
Horseshoe crab Limulus polyphemus Yes
American lobster Homarus americanus Yes
Bay scallop Argopecten irradians No
Sea scallop Placopecten magellanicus Yes
Bald eagle Haliaeetus leucocephalus Yes
Humpback whale Megaptera novaeangliae Yes
North atlantic right whale Eubalaena glacialis Yes
Sperm whale Physeter macrocephalus Yes
Fin whale Balaenoptera physalus Yes
Bottlenose dolphin Tursiops truncatus Yes
Minke whale Balaenoptera acutorostrata Yes
Atlantic bluefin tuna Thunnus thynnus Yes
Arctic tern Sterna paradisaea Yes
Atlantic puffin Fratercula arctica Yes
Atlantic surfclam Spissula solidissima Yes
Soft shell clam Mya arenaria No
Northern quahog Mecenaria mercenaria No
Roseate tern Sterna dougallii Yes
Atlantic herring Clupea harengus Yes
Atlantic cod Gadus morhua Yes
Haddock Melanogrammus aeglefinus Yes
American shad Alosa sapidissima Yes
Alewife Alosa pseudoharengus Yes
Atlantic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrhynchus oxyrhynchus Yes
Striped bass Morone saxatilis Yes
Great white shark Carcharodon carcharias Yes
Sandbar shark Carcharhinus plumbeus Yes
Atlantic salmon Salmo salar Yes
Piping plover Charadrius melodus Yes
Common tern Sterna hirundo Yes
Least tern Sternula antillarum Yes
Osprey Pandion haliaetus Yes

Iconic Species sub-goal layer
This layer is used in the Iconic Species sub-goal.

Gapfilling
Not necessary