7868

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7868
• Author: Kidd, G. T.
• Title: Endangered Fish Of The Upper Colorado River, Observations From 1970 Through 1995.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

A number of changes have occurred over the years in the attitudes and priorities of the general
public and governmental agencies toward the native fish. There was very little interest in the
status of the native fish in 1970, and most people considered them to be nothing more than trash
fish, fit only to be eliminated. Even the governmental agencies seemed determined that the fish
were of little value and game fish, such as trout and bass, were given priority.. The native fish
were not considered to be a priority by most agencies and records of their numbers and activity
were not considered to be important. This was the case until passage of the Endangered Species
Act (ESA) in 1974. With the ESA, the USFWS became more active in attempting to prevent the
extirpation of the native fish, particularly the Colorado squawfish. Most other agencies did not
adopt a pro-active role in native fish protection or recovery until the latter 1980s. The perilous
existence of the razorback sucker was identified by Mr. Kidd in the early 1976s, but the species
was not given any significant attention until they were nearly extirpated.
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