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<br />ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION OF NATIVE FISHES IN THE UPPER COLORADO RiVER BASIN
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<br />bar in the Green River near Jensen, Utah, and the
<br />presence of razorback sucker larvae suggests success-
<br />ful reproduction by these hatchery fish. Bony tail
<br />were first reintroduced in the Green River in 2000
<br />and 2001, in Lodore Canyon in 2000, and in the
<br />upper Colorado River in 1996. These fish are be-
<br />ing recaptured indicating survival, but reproduc-
<br />tion has not been confirmed. During September-
<br />November, 2003, 16 stocked bonytail were recap-
<br />tured in large recirculating eddies and talus shores
<br />in Cataract Canyon after about 1 year in the wild,
<br />providing evidence of survival by stocked fish (Utah
<br />Division of Wildlife Resources 2004). Total num-
<br />bers of PIT-tagged razorback sucker, bonytail, and
<br />Colorado pike-minnow stocked in the upper basin
<br />from 1995 through 2004 are 89,730; 44,472; and
<br />4,772, respectively.
<br />Research, monitoring, and data management.-
<br />Ongoing research, reliable population monitoring,
<br />and assimilation and management of data are vital to
<br />UCRRP success. Results of research and monitoring
<br />are used to measure progress toward achieving re-
<br />covery criteria for self-sustaining populations. Con-
<br />siderable research has been conducted in the upper
<br />basin and an electronic database is maintained for all
<br />data and reports. Results of studies are also available
<br />in open literature for a better understanding of life
<br />history requirements and conservation strategies. The
<br />UCRRP has an ongoing monitoring program to as-
<br />sess population status and trends in response to man-
<br />agement actions, including flow protection, habitat
<br />restoration, nonnative fish management, and stock-
<br />ing of hatchery fish. Monitoring includes annual sam-
<br />pling of age-O Colorado pikeminnow and regular
<br />mark-recapture population estimates for all popula-
<br />tions of Colorado pikeminnow and humpback chub.
<br />Survival of hatchery-reared razorback sucker and
<br />bonytail released into the upper basin is evaluated to
<br />identifY and implement stocking strategies that yield
<br />maximum growth and survival.
<br />Information, education, and public involve-
<br />ment.-An effective public relations program en-
<br />sures public awareness, understanding, involvement,
<br />and support of UCRRP activities. The UCRRP
<br />works with local communities to establish interpre-
<br />tive exhibits and participate in public events that
<br />offer opportunities to observe and learn about the
<br />endangered fishes. It also provides information at
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<br />major water user conferences in Colorado, Utah,
<br />and Wyoming. The UCRRP holds public meetings
<br />and produces a wide range of educational materi-
<br />als, including newsletters, fact sheets, interpretive
<br />exhibits, and a web site. The UCRRP issues an an-
<br />nual publication, Swimming Upstream, that provides
<br />updates of recovery activities.
<br />
<br />San Juan River Basin Recovery
<br />Implementation Program (SJRJP)
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<br />The SJRIP was established under a cooperative
<br />agreement in 1992 to conserve populations of
<br />Colorado pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the
<br />San Juan River subbasin (U.S. Department of the
<br />Interior 1995). The SJRIP is coordinated by the
<br />USFWS. Program elements, actions, and accom-
<br />plishments, as defined in the Long Range Plan, are
<br />intended to assist species recovery and provide rea-
<br />sonable and prudent alternatives that avoid the
<br />likelihood of jeopardy and/or destruction or ad-
<br />verse modification of critical habitat. The SJRIP
<br />goals are:
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<br />· To conserve populations of Colorado
<br />pikeminnow and razorback sucker in the
<br />San Juan River subbasin consistent with re-
<br />covery goals established under the ESA.
<br />· To proceed with water development in the
<br />San Juan River subbasin in compliance with
<br />federal and state laws, interstate compacts,
<br />Supreme Court decrees, and federal trust re-
<br />sponsibilities to the Southern Ute, Ute
<br />Mountain Ute, Jicarilla, and Navajo tribes.
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<br />The following are the main program elements
<br />of the SJRIP:
<br />Protection of genetic integrity and management
<br />and augmentation ofpopulations.-This element
<br />involves completing genetics management and aug-
<br />mentation plans, establishing refuges with wild
<br />broodstock, and augmenting wild populations of
<br />endangered fish species. Most fish for the SJRIP
<br />are produced at the Dexter National Fish Hatch-
<br />ery and Technology Center. A genetics manage-
<br />ment plan (Crist and Ryden 2003) provides guid-
<br />ance for maintaining genetic integrity of hatchery
<br />broodstock and fish stocked into the wild, and a
<br />razorback sucker augmentation plan (U.S. Fish and
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