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<br />brood stock management plan, and clearly defined methodologies and protocols should <br />be included in the document to prevent or to minimize these risk factors. <br /> <br />A suitable hatchery must possess adequate staff, and personnel expertise in genetics <br />and methodologies for the culture of humpback chub. In addition, a suitable hatchery <br />must have committed and long-term funding. To even attempt to do so without <br />adequate funding would be placing the humpback chub in danger. <br /> <br />Ideally, a suitable hatchery should be in a closed basin where accidental release of fish <br />and risk of introgression with other Gila spp. will not be a problem. In addition, the <br />hatchery should possess the necessary safe guards to prevent accidental introgression <br />with other Gila spp. being held on station (such as G. elegans). This implies completely <br />isolated space requirements with separate raceways or holding tanks and completely <br />separated plumbing components from other Gila spp. holding facilities on station, as <br />well as no chance for accidental placement of fish. <br /> <br />A suitable hatchery should be large enough to hold from 2,500 to 3,000 fish (M. Ulibarri <br />and C. Keeler-Foster, USFWS, DNFH & TC, pers. com.). This should allow for the <br />incorporation and maintenance of sufficient genetic variability. This implies large space <br />requirements that need to be fully explained in a brood stock management plan. <br />Primary physical hatchery qualifications for the culture of humpback chub are water <br />availability and quantity, and the ability to regulate water temperature. Requirements for <br />adequate water supply and water quality are identified in Piper et al. (1989). To induce <br />spawning, water temperatures should be 18 to 19 oC, and optimal temperature for <br />hatching and survival of swim up fry are between 19 to 22 oC (Hamman 1982). Optimal <br />temperatures for growth of humpback chub are between 16 to 22 oC (SWCA 1997); <br />although in temperature growth studies at 12, 18 and 24 oC Gorman and VanHoosen <br />(2000) found the optimal temperature for growth was at 24 oC. <br /> <br />It is suggested that methods (reviewed in Brown and Laland 2001, Brown and Day <br />2002) are followed to help reduce domestication. This implies that flowing water will be <br />needed to raise the fish or at least to condition them prior to release. Finally, any <br />receiving facility would have to be sufficiently large to ensure each individual lot of fish <br />brought in would remain in isolation until health and genetic concerns are fully <br />addressed. For example, all fish brought into a hatchery will need to be quarantined <br />and treated for Asian tapeworm (Bothriocephalus acheilognathl), and any other health <br />issues. This factor by itself could add enormously to the budget. <br /> <br />Summary <br /> <br />In summary, we suggest the following for establishing captive broodstock(s) of <br />humpback chub in Grand Canyon: <br /> <br />1. Complete genetic studies being performed on humpback chub, and develop a <br />formal brood stock management plan. <br /> <br />22 <br />