Gila trout (Oncorhynchus gilae). (Region Two).

The Gila trout, a fish native to the rivers of the southwestern United States, is being considered for reclassification from endangered to the less critical category of threatened. When the trout was initially listed in I966, it existed in only five small populations. Recovery work over the past three decades has included captive propagation from these relict populations and reintroduction of fish into historic stream habitat in New Mexico and Arizona. Less than 10,000 in 1992, the population in 1998 was estimated at 37,000 and is considered stable.

To ensure the success of reintroduced Gila trout, recovery work has focused on the causes of the original decline: habitat fragmentation and alteration (including streamside vegetation loss and erosion, sedimentation, and lowered water tables) and competition and interbreeding with non-native trout. Planning is underway with the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish and the U.S. Forest Service for a large-scale habitat restoration project on the West Fork Gila River. Completion of the project will double the number of stream kilometers available for occupation by Gila trout.

A revised recovery plan, which outlines recent conservation efforts, reports new biological data, refines reclassification criteria, and proposes delisting criteria, should be available for public review soon.

Reported by Tracy A. Scheffler and Jim Brooks, of the Service's Albuquerque Regional Office and Kathy Nemec of our Clear Lake, Texas, Field Office.