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1 <br />interim report on available genetic analyses (i.e., electrophoresis <br />' and morphology) in the Gila species will be completed in 1995. The <br />final report on the Gila species, including mtDNA analysis, is <br />scheduled for completion in 1997. <br />' B. Procedures for Reviewing Stock Identification and Characterization. <br />Members of the Program's Biology Committee and an Ad Hoc panel of fishery <br />geneticists will periodically review presumptive stocks of endangered <br />' fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin as new information becomes <br />available on distribution, behavior, migrations, movement (i.e., <br />interchange between stocks), phenotypic information, and genetic <br />information. Even with the available criteria for stock identification <br />and characterization, the present ability to evaluate and classify stocks <br />is not perfect. Therefore, all stocks will be treated separately (i.e., <br />using a conservative approach) until future information indicates <br />' otherwise because all wild stocks may be important in the recovery <br />effort. <br />' C. Criteria for Determining Status and Trends of Endangered Fish Stocks. <br />The determination of status and trends among various endangered fish <br />stocks is imperative for making informed management decisions (Philipp et <br />al. 1986). Decisions on actions regarding endangered species must be <br />' made on a case-by-case basis using standard criteria (Rolf 1991). The <br />status or trends of presumptive endangered fish stocks in the upper basin <br />is determined by: <br />1. Monitoring the distribution and relative abundance of presumptive <br />stocks by species, <br />' 2. Documenting spawning and recruitment, <br />3. Identifying the potential for extinction from catastrophic risk, and <br />4. Estimating the probability for immediate extinction. <br />Distribution and relative abundance of Colorado squawfish in the upper <br />basin and humpback chubs in Black Rocks and Westwater Canyons are <br />determined through an ongoing Interagency Standardized Monitoring Program <br />' (McAda et al. 1993). Data on the present relative abundance of razorback <br />sucker and nonnative fishes are also obtained through the monitoring <br />program. In addition, other ongoing field studies also provide vital <br />' information on status and trends of the endangered fishes that <br />supplements data from annual monitoring. <br />D. Procedures for Monitoring the Status and Trends of Endangered Fish <br />' Stocks. The status and trends of endangered fish stocks in the Upper <br />Colorado River Basin will be reviewed annually by members of the <br />Program's Biology Committee and other interested persons. Changes in <br />' status and trends will be made from new information on the stocks from <br />the monitoring program and other field studies. <br />E. Priorities for Placing Endangered Fish in Genetic Refugia or Developing <br />' Broodstocks. Assignment of priorities involves a judgement call but is <br />based on hard data (i.e., objective information) such as relative <br />abundance of fish, size distribution, and documented recruitment as well <br />1 9 <br />