Modoc Sucker

Modoc Sucker Removed from Endangered List

 

After nearly thirty years of recovery efforts, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (“FWS”) announced the removal of the Modoc sucker from protection under the Endangered Species Act on December 7, 2015.

 

A small fish native to the Upper Pit River Watershed in southern Oregon and northeastern California, the Modoc sucker was listed as endangered in 1985 due to habitat loss, degradation from overgrazing, and farming impacts.

 

When originally listed, the sucker was found in only 12.9 miles of habitat in seven streams. Today, its range has expanded to 42.5 miles of habitat in 12 streams. As the population has nearly doubled, the sucker now occupies all of its confirmed historical range and appears to inhabit virtually all available suitable habitats.

 

The FWS noted delisting was made possible due to collaborative conservation amongst a range of public and private partners. Recovery efforts specifically focused on reducing overgrazing and fencing livestock out of several streams. While these conservation measures will no longer be required under law, the agency believes these efforts will likely continue due to the improved relationship between ranching and conservation communities.

 

A post-delisting monitoring plan will be published by the FWS on December 8, 2015 and the Modoc sucker will officially lose federal protections on January 8, 2016.