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<br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br />I <br /> <br />15 km in only a few weeks. Changes this rapid undoubtedly influence the distribution and <br />reproductive cycles of non-native predators, and might be manipulated to regulate predator <br />densities. <br /> <br />If successful, present programs to augment spawning cohorts in either the San Juan, Green, or <br />Colorado rivers will result in larval sucker transport into Lake Powell. With the general absence <br />of nursery habitat in the lower 100 km reach of these rivers, natural recruitment associated with <br />these portions of the river might be largely dependent upon nursery habitat found either further <br />upstream, or downstream, in Lake Powell. Manipulation of reservoir elevations may provide the <br />greatest chance for these, and other, young natives to survive. The concept certainly deserves <br />more evaluation. <br /> <br />RECOMMENDATIONS <br /> <br />The behavioral acclimation test suggests that holding fish on site for 3 days may influence their <br />dispersal rate. We recommend further testing be conducted to confirm this in both reservoir and <br />riverine habitats. <br /> <br />We recommend that external attachment techniques be considered by other researchers when <br />studying the short-term movements and behavior of the razorback sucker and other similarly <br />keeled, Colorado River fishes. This approach is less intrusive than surgery, non-lethal, and <br />possibly best suited for juveniles or wild fish. <br /> <br />Juveniles have a strong fidelity toward shoreline habitats which are also used by known predators <br />such as largemouth bass and channel catfish (Harlan and Speaker 1951, Tyus 1997). This habitat <br />attraction may help explain the virtual absence of young razorback suckers. We recommend that <br />further research be directed at developing and evaluating methods of reducing or eliminating <br />predation. Current efforts to augment existing population by stocking larger razorback suckers <br />does not address the problems of early life stage survival. We also need to better understand <br />non-native predator effectiveness, and explore methods that might reduce or minimize predator <br />densities found in habitats used by early life stages of razorback sucker. <br /> <br />Until more information is available, we suggest that larger (> 30-cm) fish be stocked and that <br />stocking be delayed until winter when predators are dormant (Marsh and Brooks 1989). <br />Predation concerns stemming from assessed survival rates has resulted in a recommended <br />stocking size of 40-cm for augmenting San Juan River stocks (Ryden 1997a). We support this <br />approach. <br /> <br />17 <br />