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~ ~, any of the large migratory fishes of the world as well. If, as suggested by ,~~0~7 olles (1980 the lower Color River Basin can be used as a model to 'a- C diet the outcome of water resources development and introduction of non- 2~` ~--~ ~ native competitor species on the upger basin, the future outcome is indeed Z~~~ 0~`h ~~~L J~~ ,g~~m. Recovery of endangered fish species is not a logical step, but not aQ t' --~ ~---- ~S necessarily the outcome of the l+attle against extinction. It is only through ~S1r~,Q, costly and difficult research and management activities` that this fish, and I - a^ ~L its environment can be conserved. 1~~~ ro~t~Bs I 1 Ok t'~ Q~ ~. ~i' l ~G ~M. Q, w~ (`~ ~ c ~ ~O ~ ~'t,-~ ~ Tz ~G 4 "~-d ~~ ~ ~Y'~~/~z~~L C~'ro~ {~S ~~ Is the battle-worth it? Although the worth of any species can be debated I from a variety of perspectives, the Colorado squawfish is gust too valuable to lose. Historically, the fish furnished food and livelihoods for native and causasion Americans (Jordan 1891, Jordan and Evermann 1898, Minckley 1965,1973), and no doubt was important in the settlement of the West (people prefer writing about outlaws and grizzly's, but its use and table qualities are evident in the inclusion of the fish as a main entree for apparently lavish July 4th, and Christmas dinners at Lee's Ferry in 1899 (Measeles 1986). The spectacular potamodromous migrations (Tyus 1985) and unique Iife cycle of the fish are certainly important from a scientific point of view. Philosophically, does man wish to Iose this large predator along with a reduction of 10-20% of the earth's biota by the year 2000 (Soule' and Wilcox 1980)? Economically, in view of the increasing expense of maintaining Coldwater fisheries, isn't conservation of our largest warmwater fish species prudent? What about the distant future? Will man again be forced into subsistence fishing to survive? 37