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<br />factors such as competition, predation, imprinting, homing, survival, etc., <br />are critical to their survival. More could be learned about distribution, <br />movement, reproduction, recruitment, and growth following experimental <br />stocking. This additional information would guide future stocking activities <br />to augment existing populations or to restore extirpated ones. <br />Risks <br />Conservation of existing genetic resources should be given high priority. <br />A razorback sucker augmentation plan for the upper Colorado River needs to be <br />implemented in a timely manner because of the precarious status of this fish. <br /> <br />Although genetic and habitat suitability studies are necessary, there are <br />risks to delaying or stocking too few fish. By waiting, there is risk of <br />losing the few remaining fish (both wild and captive) and their genetic <br />diversity. Releasing hatchery-produced fish in an experimental stocking <br />program is not without its dangers. There are potential risks associated with <br />releasing hatchery fish into wild populations (Busack 1990), and they must be <br />acknowledged. These risks can be placed into two major genetic categories, , <br />direct and indirect. Some risks associated with experimental stocking are: <br />Direct Risks <br />1. Straying: hatchery-produced fish stocked into stream reaches <br />presently unoccupied by wild razorback sucker could disperse long <br />distances from the release site and move into other river reaches <br />or sub-basins occupied by wild fish. These fish may then interact , <br />with wild fish on the spawning grounds leading to the situation <br />below. <br />2. Intra- and interspecific mating: hatchery-produced fish may spawn <br />with wild razorback sucker and hybridize with other native <br />12 <br />