Artic Char

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Arctic charr or Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) is a freshwater fish that thrives in cold-water environments native to high-altitude lakes and arctic coastal waters worldwide. Its vast distribution covers every continent, with populations spawning in fresh water. This remarkable fish can be found in three different forms: lacustrine, riverine or anadromous, where they return from the ocean to their birth rivers to spawn. No other freshwater fish is as resilient and adaptable, thriving in extreme conditions such as Lake Hazen on Ellesmere Island in Canada's Arctic territory. The arctic charr is one of Britain and Ireland's rarest fish species, mainly found in deep, cold glacial lakes where it faces the threat of acidification. However, in Nordic countries, this majestic fish is abundant and highly prized for its flavor, with extensive fishing taking place throughout its range. In Siberia, the arctic charr is known as golets (Russian) and has been introduced to new habitats, sometimes posing a risk to less resilient endemic species such as the small-mouth char and long-finned char in Elgygytgyn Lake.