Ten-year review of conservation actions and status of the Pahrump Poolfish

Authors: Kevin Guadalupe, Brandon Senger, James Harter

Year: 2021

Abstract

The Pahrump Poolfish Empetrichthys latos has been managed solely at refugia locations since the mid-1970s. Refugia have served a vital role in poolfish conservation but are not without challenges. Habitat degradation and illegal introduction of nonnative species have led to multiple population crashes over the past decade, requiring emergency actions by State and Federal agencies. These actions have included treating with rotenone, desiccating habitat, and on-the-ground habitat restoration. Along the way, poolfish have been salvaged, held at the Nevada Department of Wildlife’s Lake Mead Hatchery, and translocated to existing refugia to avoid losing entire populations. Presently, poolfish are found at four refuge locations: Corn Creek, Shoshone Ponds ACEC, Spring Mountain Ranch State Park, and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve. Each locations serves as a case study for how poolfish have been successfully managed on the landscape. Given the history of population crashes, the Nevada Department of Wildlife and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service are nearing completion of a multi-county safe harbor agreement that will allow for the establishment of additional populations over the next 50 years.