Wednesday January 15, 2025
Center for Biological Diversity —
The Center for Biological Diversity today petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to protect three dwindling fish species in Goose Lake under the Endangered Species Act.
Petitions were submitted for the Goose Lake sucker, Goose Lake lamprey and Goose Lake tui chub — freshwater fish who live only in the Goose Lake Basin in south central Oregon and northeastern California.
“These remarkable Goose Lake fish have adapted to a challenging environment and periodic droughts, but without protections they can’t survive the ravages of climate change, cattle grazing, and irrigation pumps,” said Jeff Miller, a senior conservation advocate at the Center. “With increasing competition for water from livestock and agriculture, Endangered Species Act protections are critical to making sure these native Goose Lake fish survive.”
Goose Lake is a large, slightly alkaline lake. There are eight native fish species in the basin, four of which are endemic and spend at least part of their life cycles in the lake. Goose Lake fish have suffered severe declines since 2007 because of drought conditions worsened by water withdrawals for livestock grazing and agriculture, as well as climate change.