8121

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8121
• Author: Williamson, J. H. and R. S. Wydoski.
• Title: Genetics Management Guidelines.
• USFW Year: 1994.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

stocks and for determining the status and trends of those stocks,
(2) provide protocol for conserving the genetic variability in wild
endangered fish stocks, (3) state the need for captive-reared
endangered fish, (4) identify genetic risks associated with captive
propagation, (5) provide breeding strategies for captive propagation,
(6) provide guidance in the choice of founders for broodstock
development, (7) describe methods to estimate the number of fish
required to produce broodstocks, and (8) discuss ways to maximize the
effective population size in captive stocks.
2. Genetics Management Plan. The Genetics Management Guidelines provide
the basis for developing a Genetics Management Plan for the upper
basin that (1) identifies and classifies endangered fish stocks in
the upper basin by species and location, (2) provides rationale on
status and trends for decisions related to genetics management of
specific stocks, and (3) establishes priorities for intervention or
action.
3. Stocking Plans. Stocking Plans, in concert with the Genetics
Management Plan and Recovery Action Plan provide the justification
and rationale for specific actions regarding the stocking of captive-
reared endangered fish in the upper basin including details such as
species, size of fish, timing of release, location of release,
genetic risks, and a description of how evaluation of the stocking
will be made. Stocking plans are prepared for all experimental,
augmentation, and restoration stocking and must be approved through
the Program before captive-reared endangered fish are produced and
stocked into the upper basin. These plans must also be cleared by
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for issuance of a Federal Fish and
Wildlife Permit or a supplemental permit and Section 7 consultation
under the Endangered Species Act to ensure that stocking of captive-
reared endangered fish will not jeopardize wild stocks.
NOTE: If necessary, any of the three documents may be revised to
ensure effective genetics management of the endangered fishes in the
Upper Colorado River Basin.
D. Genetics Conservation Principles and Assumptions. The following genetics
conservation principles and assumptions must be considered to maintain
the genetic diversity of endangered fish stocks in the upper basin:
0 Conservation of genetic diversity is fundamental to both short-term
ecological adaptation and long-term evolutionary potential of a
species since genetic variation is the raw material upon which
natural selection acts.
o Genetic diversity in endangered fish stocks allows for adaptability
to various environmental conditions.
All management activities in the Upper Colorado River Basin may
affect the genetic diversity of various endangered fish stocks.

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