Gilt darters signal waterway comeback

OLEAN, NY (AP) - Biologists have released about 1,200 baby gilt darters into the Allegheny River and Oswayo Creek in western New York as part of efforts to restore populations of the endangered fish.

Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Joe Martens says the release on Wednesday was a milestone in the recovery of gilt darters in New York.

The restoration work involves scientists from New York's DEC and state university at Cobleskill, as well as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

The gilt darter has been identified as a priority species for recovery efforts. This is the first time it's been stocked in New York waters. The bottom-feeding fish average two to three inches in length.