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<br />cause population affects that influence the survival of the species. This study provided <br />evidence of injury to Colorado pikeminnow caught by electrofishing although the rate <br />and severity of injury was much lower than reported in the literature for salmon ids. The <br />injuries observed did not appear to affect survival based on the recapture several years <br />later of the fish with the most severe vertebral injury. Injuries not related to vertebral <br />injury may have greater potential for harm and when combined with poor handling <br />practices likely increase the potential for death. I recommend increased vigilance and <br />training to reduce or maintain low injury rates. Electrofishing crews should be trained in <br />the most recent electrofishing techniques that reduce injury and fish handling procedure <br />should be improved and institutionalized. <br /> <br />CONCLUSIONS <br /> <br />· Colorado pikeminnow captured by electrofishing had both external and vertebral <br />injuries related to electrofishing, but the rate of injury was low. <br />· Vertebral injuries consisted of only compressions; no fractures or misalignments <br />were observed. <br />· Other injuries such as extreme tetany, bleeding gills, or increased physiological <br />stress due to poor handling conditions probably have a greater influence on fish <br />survival than vertebral compressions. <br /> <br />18 <br />