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

A Recovery Implementation Program was initiated on October 1, 1988 with the
goal of recovering the endangered fishes within a 15-year period (U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service 1987a, 1987b). This effort includes participation by
affected interests in the upper Colorado River including the States of
Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service, water development interests, and environmental
organizations. Five elements in the Recovery Implementation Program include:
(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. Critical habitat of the
endangered fishes is defined by Maddux et al. (1993) and an economic analysis
for the critical habitat was summarized by Brookshire et al. (1993).
USES OF CAPTIVE-REARED ENDANGERED FISH
The element of native fish stocking includes the development of genetically
sound broodstocks of the endangered fishes. The need for captive-reared
endangered fish and propagation facilities in the Recovery Program was
summarized by Wydoski (1994a). Captive propagation is an important part in
restoration of endangered fish and wildlife species because it provides
animals for refugia, research and development, information and education, and
stocking. The following endangered fish needs (i.e., purpose by species) were
identified by Recovery Program participants:
Fish Needs by Purpose and Species
Purpose Species
Razorback Bonytail Humpback Colorado
sucker chub sQuawfish
1. Refugia X X X X
2. Research & Development X X X
3. Information & Education X X X X
4. Augmentation &
Restoration Stocking X X X
1. Refugia. Refuges serve a vital function in maintaining and protecting
the genetic integrity of endangered fish and wildlife stocks. As wild
stocks decline, refuges not only provide safety to a part of the stock
but can be used to develop broodstocks. Endangered Colorado River fishes
will be placed in refuges to prevent catastrophic losses of fish stocks
and to develop broodstocks for priority species and stocks. An
appropriate breeding matrix will be used to maintain genetic diversity.---
similar to wild stocks. The present target is to obtain twenty-five (25)
family lots for each broodstock that is manageable in hatchery
operations. Additional wild fish will be used periodically to supplement
the genetic diversity of the broodstock. Endangered fish production that
is surplus to broodstock development should provide adequate numbers of
fish for research and development studies as well as for information and
education programs. Furthermore, broodstocks in refuges can be used to
provide progeny for experimental augmentation and restoration stocking
(Williamson 1993). Refuges also provide protection of fish stocks that
may be at catastrophic risk. For example, the humpback chub stocks in
2