The Trump administration is cutting funding for UC Davis’ Fish Conservation and Culture Laboratory, which runs a captive breeding program for the endangered delta smelt. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, which has provided about $3 million annually, will not renew funding after Feb. 28, forcing significant cutbacks, including potential layoffs of 11 out of 17 staff members.
President Trump has long criticized the smelt, blaming its protections for limiting water access to farms and, more recently, for exacerbating California wildfires—claims experts refute. The fish’s decline is due to habitat loss and excessive water pumping. Environmentalists warn that its extinction could lead to reduced regulations, impacting other endangered species and water management in California. The funding cut may lead to legal challenges, as water diversion permits rely on the conservation program’s existence.
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