New Study: California Native Fish Species to Be Extinct by End of Century
Twenty of 31 species of prized native fish species in California are in serious decline, according to a new study by Peter Moyle, UC Davis professor of conservation biology. Unless the state acts quickly, these species face extinction by the end of the century. Professor Moyle explains:
Our fish need cold, clean water to survive, but they’re getting less and less of it. Dams block access. Climate change is now looming to exacerbate the threat, and it increases the urgency. All of these things are pushing our fish toward extinction. If we allow these fish to go extinct, we’ve allowed the deterioration of the streams and rivers.
The bull trout has already gone extinct as a result of Shasta and McCloud Dam. Unfortunately, I don’t think waiting until 2020 to possibly remove the Klamath Dams is quick enough action.
Image: Eric Luse / The Chronicle
