7810

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7810
• Author: Stempel, M. and R. S. Wydoski.
• Title: Draft Environmental Assessment, Guidelines For Disposition Of Captive-Reared Endangered Fish.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

APPENDIX A
GUIDELINES FOR DISPOSITION OF CAPTIVE-REARED ENDANGERED FISH
A. Background. Many propagation activities may produce more fish than are
needed to meet specified requirements. This additional production allows
the hatchery manager to compensate for unknown or unpredictable attrition
rates to ensure that specified requirements are met. These guidelines
provide the protocol for disposition of such fish.
Planned captive propagation minimizes the production of endangered fish
that will be excess to Recovery Implementation Program (Program) needs
and reduces demands on resources (i.e., people, funds, and space). The
number of endangered fish that are reared for Program needs depends upon:
1. Captive propagation goals and objectives
2. Breeding strategy or mating system used
3. Fecundity of the endangered fish
4. Anticipated mortality during culture
5. Method used to culture endangered fish
6. Uncertainty of production during captive culture, and
7. Availability of culture facilities
"Stocking Plans" and annual "Scopes of Work" that are required by the
Program should be prepared well in advance of projected field or
laboratory studies so that endangered fish needs can be incorporated into
planned production. This is especially important if large or mature
endangered fishes are needed for the studies. For example, approximately
5 years are needed to produce mature bonytail and humpback chubs and 7
years are needed to produce adult razorback suckers and Colorado
squawfish.
All endangered fish propagation will be done in accordance with Program
"Genetics Management Guidelines" (i.e., philosophy, goals, and general
procedures for maintaining genetic diversity similar to wild stocks),
"Genetics Management Plan" (i.e., classification of endangered fish
species or stocks and establishing priorities using information on status
and trends), and "Stocking Plans" (i.e., specific details on species,
specific stocks of fish, numbers of fish, size[s], time of stocking, and
method[s] to evaluate stocking).
B. Procedures for Disposition of Captive-Reared Endangered Fish. Production
targets are based on the numbers of fish that were identified for
specific Program needs. Under normal operating procedures, unfit fish
(e.g., hybrids, genetically deformed, those with untreatable contagious
diseases, etc.) will be euthanized following accepted protocol of the
fisheries profession. Fish identified as surplus to Program requirements
should be reported at any time to the Propagation and Nonnative Fish
Coordinator who will notify appropriate persons of their availability.
Relevant information should be provided to the Coordinator such as the
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