8174

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8174
• Author: Martinez, P. J.
• Title: West Slope Warmwater Fisheries.
• USFW Year: 1997.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

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Job Objective: To identify interrelationships between combinations of native and nonnative fish species and
physical habitat characteristics in reclaimed waters to establish predictors of potential fish
production for native fish habitat or sport fishery restoration.
Segment Objective 1: Examine 1996 pond reclamation sites to assess feasibility of using
sampling transects to estimate fish biomass in ponds that are pumped dry
as opposed to treated with rotenone.
INTRODUCTION
During the earlier drafts of the Procedures (Appendix A), there was a link between the stocking of
floodplain ponds with nonnative sport fishes and a concomitant requisite to remove nonnative fishes from
floodplain ponds. In otherwords, on an acre-per-acre basis, ponds had to be reclaimed to accrue "credits" in
the form of surface acres before stocking of floodplain ponds with warmwater fishes could proceed. Because
of the web of administration implicating the private sector, this scenario was dropped during the final
development of the it , but many in the Recovery Program for endangered fishes and many among
the public still view all nonnative fish control efforts as one "program".
Functionally, now, there are three distinct fronts of nonnative fish control to consider: 1) preventive
control via the provisions and constraints found in the Procedures (Appendix A), 2) active removal of
nonnative fishes from floodplain ponds through chemical treatment or draining by pumping, and 3) active
removal of nonnative fishes in mainstem riverine habitat via mechanical means. This Job Objective deals
with the floodplain pond nonnative fish aspect of controlling nonnative fish and associated issues. Onc7of the
components of pond reclamation was gaining access to floodplain ponds on private land. This involved
developing a "menu" of incentives to facilitate entering private land and complete fish surveys and possibly
fish reclamation in selected floodplain ponds.
Among the issues associated with reclamation efforts in floodplain ponds was the contention by
some anglers in public meetings that any nonnative fish control would prove futile as angry or determined
anglers retaliated to removal of valued sport fish from ponds by illicitly reintroducing or introducing to new
areas, fish species removed as part of the nonnative fish control program. As these discussions continued, the
perception was that it was not difficult for individuals to acquire warmwater sport fish by angling and
subsequently transport and restock traditional warmwater fisheries. Illicit transfer of various warmwater fish
species has already occurred in western Colorado and appears to warrant immediate attention.
METHODS AND MATERIALS
Within the timeframe of this Segment, I authored/co-authored three Scopes of Work under the
Recovery Plan for Endangered Fish to facilitate progress and funding for the pond reclamation portion of the
nonnative fish control (Table 1). I also participated in the review and development of ideas for providing
incentives for accessing private land to sample, reclaim and/or prevent escapement of fish populations. In
addition, discussions with T. Nesler, CDOW s statewide native fish biologist, about illicit introductions
resulted in. a preliminary draft for documenting the extent of illicit stocking of nonnative sport fish,
summarizing the concerns, and suggesting strategies to enforce existing regulations and combat further illegal
fish transplants in western Colorado. Note that the following discourse on illicit fish introduction was
intended to be adapted to an information brochure format and is written somewhat in that style.
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