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1 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />B. Program Philosophy Mission and Goals for Genetics Management. The <br />Program philosophy and mission are to maintain the genetic integrity of <br />wild and captive-reared endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River <br />Basin (Box 1; Echelle 1991; Meffe 1986). The rationale for this <br />philosophy is that natural refugia provide a source of preadapted genetic <br />diversity that increases the probability for successful recovery of the <br />endangered fish (Krueger et al. 1981; Samson 1992; Smith and Rhodes 1992). <br />Recovery, by definition, implies that reestablished endangered fish stocks <br />will become self-sustaining. Genetics management goals were identified to <br />meet the Program philosophy and mission in maintaining the genetic <br />diversity of endangered fishes in the upper basin (Box 1). <br />C. Genetic Conservation Documents. Genetic conservation management of the <br />endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin will be accomplished <br />through three separate documents: <br />1. Genetics Management Guidelines. The guidelines provide the <br />conceptual framework of genetics management and rationale that will <br />be employed to maintain genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks <br />in the Upper Colorado River Basin. This document also provides <br />procedures for development and approval of specific stocking plans to <br />ensure that genetic diversity of wild endangered fish stocks in the <br />upper basin will not be compromised. These guidelines (1) provide <br />criteria for identification and characterization of endangered fish <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Box 1. Philosophy, mission and goals of the Recovery Implementation <br />Program for genetics management of endangered fishes in the <br />Upper Colorado River Basin. <br />PHILOSOPHY AND MISSION <br />To maintain the genetic integrity of wild and captive-reared endangered <br />fishes 'in the Upper Colorado River Basin to prevent irreversible losses <br />of genetic diversity that may result from management interventions or <br />lack of action. <br />GENETICS MANAGEMENT GOALS <br />1. To prevent immediate extinction of any endangered Colorado River <br />fish stocks. <br />To conserve genetic diversity of wild endangered fish stocks <br />through recovery efforts that will protect or restore viable wild <br />stocks by removing or significantly reducing limiting factors that <br />caused population declines. <br />3. To maintain genetic diversity in captive-reared endangered fish <br />broodstocks that is similar to the wild stock used as founders. <br />