Does a Species Have a Right to Exist?

Personally, my knee jerk reaction is yes. I recognize that geological records show that species have come and gone. Things change over time. Species come and go. However, on the whole they went extinct without help from mankind. So from my perspective, any fish species that was doing fine before humans screwed things up for them, then we probably ought to do our best to unscrew things and allow them fighting chance to continue until nature determines it’s time for them to exit right.

Efforts to prevent the extinction of species have been codified with the amended Endangered Species Act of 1973. Per the United States Fish and Wildlife Service glossary, “(the act) is intended to provide a means to conserve the ecosystems upon which endangered and threatened species depend and provide programs for the conservation of those species, thus preventing extinction of plants and animals.”

Seems simple enough, but when efforts to protect a species come into conflict with what people wish then things turn ugly in a hurry, especially, when the species in question isn’t consider having “value” to humanity.  Let’s face it, when it comes to fish, there are plenty of species that aren’t consider “valuable” and even among those that are deemed worthy, some are regarded with low esteem.  Take rainbow trout; if it’s thought they were stocked, they’re viewed as slimers, a derogatory term, never mind that almost all freshwater sport fish in America are, to some degree, managed through stocking programs.

One of the conflicts we frequently hear about pertains to the Colorado River drainage and the efforts to save the endangered native species unique to it.  Note, I said UNIQUE to it, there are a handful of species in the Colorado River drainage that do not exist anywhere else in the world.  The Colorado River drainage encompasses a large part of the southwest.  Consequently the efforts to save these endangered species have impacted many non-native sportfish species stocked in the Colorado, its tributaries, and reservoirs within the watershed. Saving fish viewed as having little value over fish thought to be great sporting fish is a bitter pill to swallow for many anglers.

What got me started down this path was this article, “Managing Non-natives to Save Colorado's Endangered Big River Fish,”  sent to me by Lloyd, Texas Fish Explorer State Editor.  It is interesting reading, briefly covering efforts and issues with saving “the four native fish species that are endangered in the upper Colorado River—the bonytail, humpback chub, Colorado pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. 

As with all topics that interest me I did a bit more research, these fish, especially the Colorado pikeminnow, weren’t always viewed with the distain they are today.  Years past these fish were an important component of people’s diet, especially during the depression years.  An article, “Historical Accounts of Upper Colorado River Basin Endangered Fish,”  is interesting reading and has a number of pictures of these fish that were harvested. I encourage you to give it a read and to follow the links I’ve provided.  The combination will give you a deeper understanding of these endangered fish.

Of the four species mentioned year, I have caught a pikeminnow. It was years back in the Grand Junction area, about 18-20 inches and I can attest to the fighting ability of this species.  When I see some of the historical pictures, I find myself really hoping they make a comeback so I can tangle with one of these bruisers down the road. I’ve not encountered any of the other endangered species, although I have caught a good number of roundtail chub and a variety of other sucker species from the river around Grand Junction, none of which impressed me for their fighting ability.

My view is these species are as valuable as any other fish.  Given they’re unique to the Colorado River drainage and don’t seem to fare well outside the river system, I fully support efforts to save them, even if that means more favored non-native sportfish have to give way.  It’s my fervent hope that someday they’ll survive well enough that they’re no longer endangered and I’ll be able to do battle with them also.