9656

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9656
• Author: Stempel, M. and R. Wydoski.
• Title: Final Environmental Assessment - Disposition of Captive-Reared Endangered Colorado River Fish.
• USFW Year: 1995.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, CO.
• Copyright Material: NO

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 as
closely as possible representing wild stocks. The initial 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 Black Rocks and Westwater Canyons of
the Upper Colorado River were considered to be at catastrophic risk from
hazardous materials if a train were to derail from the railroad track
that is located in these canyons.
Research and Development. Research and development are vital to provide
pertinent information for making intelligent Program decisions regarding
the implementation of actions to recover the endangered Colorado River
fishes. Research is done in a phased, logical manner to answer specific
questions, provide important information, or to evaluate experimental
efforts relative to implementation of specific recovery strategies.
Propagation is particularly important in providing experimental fish for
studies related to (1) development and improvement in breeding and
rearing practices, (2) identification of ecological requirements by life
stage, (3) interactions with non-native fishes, (4) homing (i.e.,
olfaction and chemoreception studies), (5) habitat use, (6) fish passage,
(7) taxonomy, (8) anatomy, (9) physiology, and (10) development of
protocol for improving survival (i.e., successful stocking practices).
Various persons from the Colorado Division of Wildlife, Utah Division of
Wildlife Resources, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of