Construction begins on Peche Island fish habitat conservation project

The Detroit River Canada Cleanuphas started construction on a conservationproject on Peche Island that it hopes will protect endangered and threatened fish species.

The small island at the mouth of the Detroit River is home to one ofonly three known breeding areas of the Northern madtomin the country. The Northern madtom isan endangered species of catfish.

The project involves building rock formations on the north coastof the island. The rocky "reefs" would calm the waters, giving theNorthern madtom and 60 other fish species a better chance of surviving, according to the Essex Region Conservation Authority.

The project is also expected to protect the island's shoreline, which is slowly eroding.

Windsor City Council approved up to $2.5 million for the projectin 2019, dedicating the city's Federal Gas Tax allotment to the project. It's also being funded by a$225,000 donation from the Swim, Drink, Fish foundation.