From neglect toward enlightenment: the conservation of native fishes in the twenty-first century

For decades, many freshwater fishes native to North America have been written off as “rough fish” and neglected as inconsequential or even scorned if perceived as inimical to traditional gamefish. Across the continent, the exact species included in this category vary but often include members of the families Lepisosteidae, Amiidae, Hiodontidae, Catostomidae, Ictaluridae, and Sciaenidae. The casual or callous treatment of these fishes, although occasionally questioned by diversity-minded scientists and the public for at least a century, has recently come under more widespread scientific scrutiny, as more holistic views of ecosystems and ecosystem-based management are increasingly embraced and implemented. Paradoxically, we are also in an era where increasing technological capabilities have exacerbated the casual disposal of native fishes via bowfishing and other methods, often followed by widespread publicity through social media. Amid this rapid technological evolution, recent scientific studies have identified and highlighted the long lifespans, erratic recruitment, and surprisingly complex stock composition and life histories of many of these neglected fishes. Conservation of these distinctive and fragile taxa has been initiated under the recognition of this life history diversity. As exemplified by the 23 articles in this Special Issue on “Underappreciated Native Fishes of North America and their Management” and highlighted in this introductory article, research on many of these taxa has surged, as has their need for management. Scientific discoveries during this timeframe have redefined our understanding of several of the species and have led to an enlightened appreciation of these fishes and their valuable roles in freshwater ecosystems.