8150

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8150
• Author: Wydoski, R. S.
• Title: Realistic Management of Endangered Species--An Overview.
• USFW Year: 1977.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

A systems approach such as outlined by Phenicie and Lyons (1973) should
be used to effectively establish priorities for the research and management
of threatened and endangered species. This type of systematic step-down
approach provides a mechanism for making the best use of the manpower and
budget constraints that face all conservation agencies. Earlier I stated
that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has officially listed 172 species
as endangered and 11 species as threatened in the United States. In addition,
nearly 2,000 other species are being reviewed as candidates for listing.
Therefore, establishing realistic research and management priorites by spe-
cies will be imperative since the knowledge, time, politics, and available
funds required to save all threatened and endangered species will not be
adequate. It will also require effective cooperation and communication
among the recovery teams, state agencies, and federal agencies that are re-
sponsible for endangered species.
Pister (1976) summarized the future of wildlife management by rewriting
Leopold's prediction as follows: "Unless and until the common task of
teaching the public how to modify economic activities for conservation pur-
poses is accomplished, whatever else we might do in the management of fish
and wildlife resources is in the long run irrelevant."
Potential of Threatened and Endangered Species forFisher Management.
Behnke and Zarn 1976 pointed out that the idea of promoting angling for
a rare species may appear contradictory to the goal of increasing its
abundance. However, they also stated that certain subspecies of trout have
not become rare through overfishing and that, if they are re-established in
waters within their native range, and reproduce naturally, they may provide
unique, quality fisheries at almost no expense. Although some trout popu-
lations such as cutthroat trout (Salmo clarki) may not show any apparent
morphological differences, these populations (i.e., subspecies) may contain
the genetic diversity that controls physiological and behavioral character-
istics with a significant potential for management (Behnke, 1972). Depend-
ing on the species, some special regulations may be necessary to sustain
the populations.
Miller (1963) believed that the Colorado squawfish could become eagerly
sought by sportsmen, because the average size of the squawfish is larger
than most trout and, if the philosopy of fishing for fun rather than harvest
were encouraged, this native minnow could provide many hours of angling. He
cited an example of a university professor who found a greater challenge in
catching small darters and sculpins on artificial flies than in catching
trout. He further emphasized that the Europeans eagerly seek carp (Cyprinus
carpio) and other native species that are harvested for food or returned to
the water. Last fall, at a Resources for the Future Forum in Albuquerque,
New Mexico, Robert J. Behnke supported the contention of Miller (1963) when
he pointed out that one way to save a threatened or endangered species would
be to develop a sport fishery for it that generated economy. He also believ-
ed that anglers might seek the opportunity to catch and release Colorado
squawfish if this species were given proper publicity as a unique species
in the biological heritage of the United States.
In the future, agencies may have to manage all species that possess some
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