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

PREFACE
These "Genetics Management Guidelines" provide a conceptual framework of
genetics management and rationale for maintaining the genetic diversity of
wild endangered fish stocks in the Upper Colorado River Basin. They are
intended to serve as a practical reference document. Boxes are used to
highlight important parts of these guidelines. A glossary of
terms used in this document is provided in Appendix 1.
The background and evolution of the Recovery Implementation Program (Program)
for recovery of endangered fishes in the Upper Colorado River Basin are
reviewed by Wydoski and Hamill (1991). A description of the Program is
provided in U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (1987a) and an assessment of the
environmental impacts of the Program is provided in U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service (1987b). A review of genetic concepts, principles, and issues related
to fisheries management are concisely summarized by Kapuscinski and Jacobson
(1987).
The Program consists of five elements for recovery of endangered fishes in the
Upper Colorado River Basin: (1) provision of in-stream flows; (2) habitat
development and maintenance; (3) native fish stocking; (4) management of
nonnative species and sport fishing; and (5) research, monitoring, and data
management (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service 1987a, 1987b, 1993). Genetics
management of endangered Colorado River fishes is an integral part of the
Program involving habitat development and maintenance, management of wild fish
populations, native fish stocking, and research/monitoring efforts.
The conceptual framework for planning, implementing, and evaluating management
actions for genetics management of the endangered fish can be compared with
the following medical model. In the medical model, the physician reviews the
patient's medical history, then interviews and examines the patient to
determine etiology (i.e., the origin and nature of the disease or discomfort).
Following the physician's assessment of the patient's medical status and
identification of the problem (i.e., diagnosis), the physician provides a
prognosis that is an opinion of the problem based on the data and the
physician's knowledge and experience. The course of action depends upon
whether the problem can be treated. If the problem can be treated, the choice
of treatment may vary depending on the diagnosis, degree of intervention that
is required, the availability of qualified personnel, equipment, and
facilities, cost and duration of the treatment, and the expected outcome. The
desired outcome is evaluated in terms of the probability of treatment success
against the potential risks or complications, including side effects,
associated with the treatment. The physician and patient select a treatment
plan. The patient is monitored and the treatment may be continued, modified,
or stopped based upon the patient's response. If the treatment is considered
successful, the patient is considered cured and discharged. Even after
discharge, the patient's medical status may be routinely monitored since
periodic reevaluation or examination of the patient will minimize recurrence
of the problem or it can be treated again in an early stage when the
probability of a cure (i.e., success) is higher. The systems approach to
problem solving in this document is parallel to the adaptive management
approach described in the medical model.

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