Conservation and recovery of the Gila Topminnow in the United States

Originally listed in 1967, the Gila Topminnow ( Poeciliopsis occidentalis ) occurs in the Gila River basin in New Mexico, Arizona, and Sonora, and in other river basins in Sonora.  Once the commonest fish in the Gila basin, it was reduced to two or three known populations when listed.  The species has been released to hundreds of wild and captive sites since listing, with an active recovery program over the last decade. A revised recovery plan has been in draft form for more than 20 years.  The basic action called for in the plan is for Topminnow from the known Management Units to be reestablished.  Reestablished populations must be broadly distributed within historical range.  The plan mirrors the Desert Pupfish Recovery Plan, using three tiers to classify populations.  Tier 1 is naturally occurring populations that must be protected, and if lost, reestablished if possible.  Tier 2 is reestablished stable and secure populations at wild natural, or enhanced natural sites, within historical range of the species, and have survived at least five years.  Lastly, Tier 3 includes reestablished sites that have not survived five years, or may require extensive human intervention.  Captive sites can count as Tier 3, which I believe is contrary to the stated intent of the Endangered Species Act, which states that recovery should be in the wild.  Captive sites counting towards recovery and other criteria in the recovery plan have been reduced over time.  I will discuss the history of draft plan revisions and the near future.