And that's not of being eaten. Something far less natural or savory. Populations of freshwater fish are on decline due to habitat loss, introduction of non-native species, and last but not least, climate change.

In a report recently issued by the American Fisheries Society 700 fish are now listed as either threatened, endangered, or vulnerable. This is a 92% increase over the number of fishes classified as "imperiled" in the equivalent 1989 study. Of the 364 fishes classified in the previous study, 61 are now extinct.

Of the groups most at risk are the salmon and trout of western mountain regions. More than 60% of these species had at least one populations or subspecies in trouble.

Trout have typically inhabited streams, lakes, ponds and reservoirs in the Rocky Mountains but have declined due to introductions of non-native species, habitat degradation, and fragmentation of colonies. Global warming has also contributed to the issue: increasing air and water temperatures have increased the risk of fires, and changed the timing and quantity of snow run offs in some areas, leading to increased flooding. Both wildfires and flooding have rendered some of the small fragmented populations extinct in certain regions.

In response state and federal agencies and non-governmental organizations have introduced measures to attempt to recover and restore the native trout and salmon, throughout the western United States. One successful example has been that of the reopening and enlargement of Elkhead Reservoir, in northwestern Colorado.  As well as providing 5,000 acre-feet of water year round, another 2,000 acre-feet of leased water augments the flow of the Yampa River annually. This augmentation serves to protect endangered fish during the summer, when low flows can reduce their habitat and make them vulnerable to non-native predators.

The Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, a voluntary cooperative program, which includes state and federal agencies, water and power users, and conservation groups, spearheaded this project. The Program is engaged in many projects with the purpose of protecting native species of freshwater fish and actions taken have included control of non-native species, habitat restoration, rearing and stocking, and flow augmentation throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin.  By restoring high flows in peak water years, the fish spawning habitat is scoured which creates clean rocky spaces optimal for fish egg-laying. Restoring such key resources optimizes their chances of survival over the long-term.

With only 1% of Earth's water available as freshwater, management of this key resource is paramount if both human water needs are to be met and native species are to be preserved. Examples such as Elkhead reservoir demonstrate that both human requirements for water can be satisfied while benefiting the health of the natural ecosystem. The necessity is however for preventative action, forward planning, and open negotiation, before any more fish species become extinct.

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