The Oregon chub minnow has become the first fish to ever be taken off the endangered species list. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced on February 4th the animals are no longer in danger of extinction.
At one time, as many as a million Oregon chub populated the waters near what would one day would be the city of Portland. As settlers moved in, development drained off waters the fish depended on to survive. Already facing extinction, humans introduced bass to their environment, which preyed on the chub. The species was nearly wiped out by this one-two punch. In 1992, it was estimated only 1,000 members of the species were still alive. The species was added to the endangered list the following year.
The Oregon chub was only first described in scientific journals in the early 20th Century. Naturalists did not begin paying close attention to the chubs until the 1970's. The animals typically grow to be less than three inches long. They have silver sides and green backs, and possess large scales.
According to Brian Bangs, supervisor of the recovery of the Oregon chub since 2005, economics played a large part in saving the species. Because the fish occupied areas that weren't subject to logging, farming or hydroelectric power, there was little opposition to saving the animals.
The Fish and Wildlife Service will monitor the progress of the species for nine years, to make sure populations continue to grow.
"We're not saying it won't need management, but they can leave the hospital and get out to be an outpatient," Paul Henson, Oregon director of Fish and Wildlife, said to the Associated Press.
From the 1,000 members of the species that lived in 1992, project managers believe as many as 180,000 live today. The fish now live in 80 habitats around their native area. Recovery was carried out by creating partnerships between the agency and private landowners, in order to restore vital habitats for the fish. Fish were brought onto private land, and the owners were taught how to treat them well. The service also worked with the U.S. Corps of Engineers to reschedule dam releases to more closely resemble natural flooding.
"When people ask why it's important to rescue endangered fish, I ask them, 'How would you feel if you were the fish?'" Phil Pister, retired fishery biologist, said.
The Oregon chub has become the 27th species to be removed from the endangered species list, joining the gray wolf among those now deemed likely to survive. The next species to come off the list may be one of the most majestic and intelligent of all - the humpback whale.
