Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Environment & Energy
Related: About this forumWith Just 6 Delta Smelt Left, Controversial California Fish Species Faces Impending Extinction
Are we about to witness the extinction of the controversial delta smelt (Hypomesus transpacificus)? The most recent survey for the tiny fish, over which decades of battles over water rights have been fought, counted just four females and two males.
The announcement came just days after a NASA scientist warned that drought-stricken California only has one year of water left.
Delta smelt used be common throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary until its water was diverted to supply the 25 million people and farmers who live in the area. Invasive species and changes in water salinity and clarity also played a role in the smelts decline. They were protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1993 and a recovery plan was established in 1996. The average population between 2000 and 2006 was 353 fish. That population crashed to just 25 fish the following year. The species has never recovered.
Despite this extremely low population, the delta smelt has never been listed as anything more severe than threatened on the endangered species list. Numerous petitions and lawsuits have tried to change that, to no avail.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2015/03/19/last-six-delta-smelt/?WT.mc_id=SA_Twitter
The announcement came just days after a NASA scientist warned that drought-stricken California only has one year of water left.
Delta smelt used be common throughout the Sacramento-San Joaquin estuary until its water was diverted to supply the 25 million people and farmers who live in the area. Invasive species and changes in water salinity and clarity also played a role in the smelts decline. They were protected under the Endangered Species Act in 1993 and a recovery plan was established in 1996. The average population between 2000 and 2006 was 353 fish. That population crashed to just 25 fish the following year. The species has never recovered.
Despite this extremely low population, the delta smelt has never been listed as anything more severe than threatened on the endangered species list. Numerous petitions and lawsuits have tried to change that, to no avail.
http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/extinction-countdown/2015/03/19/last-six-delta-smelt/?WT.mc_id=SA_Twitter
InfoView thread info, including edit history
TrashPut this thread in your Trash Can (My DU » Trash Can)
BookmarkAdd this thread to your Bookmarks (My DU » Bookmarks)
8 replies, 1102 views
ShareGet links to this post and/or share on social media
AlertAlert this post for a rule violation
PowersThere are no powers you can use on this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
ReplyReply to this post
EditCannot edit other people's posts
Rec (18)
ReplyReply to this post
8 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
With Just 6 Delta Smelt Left, Controversial California Fish Species Faces Impending Extinction (Original Post)
phantom power
Mar 2015
OP
Joe Shlabotnik
(5,604 posts)1. Ok, my apologies in advance but,
If we are going to point fingers, just remember the one who smelt it delta'd it.
AnAzulTexas
(108 posts)3. man, you are just clever
cui bono
(19,926 posts)6. That smells fishy to me.
XemaSab
(60,212 posts)2. We're so hosed
Yupster
(14,308 posts)4. Article didn't say it, but
I hope those six fish have been taken in so scientists can protect their eggs and young.
cui bono
(19,926 posts)7. But then they are out of their natural environment, so doesn't that kind of defeat the purpose? n/t
Yupster
(14,308 posts)8. They can reintroduce them
once their numbers are out of crisis.
It worked for the condor.
Scruffy Rumbler
(961 posts)5. I think I just found my new drag name....
Miss Delta Smelt ...get a whiff of her...