The most detailed and comprehensive survey of North American freshwater fish in twenty years led by scientists from the US Geological Survey shows that 40% of freshwater species are in jeopardy of eventual extinction. Some of the fish families suffering declines include popular sport and food fish such as sturgeon, salmon and sunfish (which includes some bass species). The survey was conducted by a team of scientists from Canada, US and Mexico, and their results published in the journal, "Fisheries". Not surprising the reasons offered for the population declines are over-exploitation, loss of habitat due to human activity, and the introduction of non-native species. The fish at greatest risk are salmon and trout of the Pacific Coast and western mountain regions. [interactive map]. More than 60 percent of the salmon and trout had at least one population or subspecies in trouble, the report shows. Overall 280 species are counted as endangered and 190 considered threatened. ENS quotes USGS researcher and lead author Noel Burkhead as saying,"Fish are not the only aquatic organisms undergoing precipitous declines. "Freshwater crayfishes, snails and mussels are exhibiting similar or even greater levels of decline and extinction."
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Bad News for Salmon Lovers
The most detailed and comprehensive survey of North American freshwater fish in twenty years led by scientists from the US Geological Survey shows that 40% of freshwater species are in jeopardy of eventual extinction. Some of the fish families suffering declines include popular sport and food fish such as sturgeon, salmon and sunfish (which includes some bass species). The survey was conducted by a team of scientists from Canada, US and Mexico, and their results published in the journal, "Fisheries". Not surprising the reasons offered for the population declines are over-exploitation, loss of habitat due to human activity, and the introduction of non-native species. The fish at greatest risk are salmon and trout of the Pacific Coast and western mountain regions. [interactive map]. More than 60 percent of the salmon and trout had at least one population or subspecies in trouble, the report shows. Overall 280 species are counted as endangered and 190 considered threatened. ENS quotes USGS researcher and lead author Noel Burkhead as saying,"Fish are not the only aquatic organisms undergoing precipitous declines. "Freshwater crayfishes, snails and mussels are exhibiting similar or even greater levels of decline and extinction."