Recovery and delisting of the Modoc Sucker - a positive story

Authors: Stewart B.* Reid

Year: 2015 (xlvii)

Abstract

The Modoc Sucker (Catostomus microps) occupies small streams in the upper Pit River drainage of northern California and southern Oregon (including Goose Lake Basin) and was federally listed in 1985. Principal threats to the species included its limited distribution, habitat degradation, non-native predators, and possible hybridization with the more abundant Sacramento Sucker. Recovery of the species has included addressing specific threats, resolving perceived threats through research, surveying for additional populations, introductions to suitable secure habitat and community outreach. Private landowner cooperation has been and continues to be essential for securing access to populations, carrying out conservation actions and developing non-confrontational attitudes toward the Modoc Sucker and its recovery efforts. At this time the distribution of Modoc Sucker is broader than at the time of listing, habitat conditions have improved, non-native species have been controlled, hybridization has been investigated with modern genetic methods not available at the time of listing and determined to not represent a threat, and landowner attitudes are generally supportive of conservation efforts. Getting there has involved collaboration between all parties, development of personal relationships and plenty of on-the-ground effort. The Modoc Sucker has also demonstrated its resilience over 30 years of climatic variation. In early 2015 U.S. Fish and Wildlife proposed the Modoc Sucker for delisting, and the final determination is in preparation after successful public review.