9444

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 9444
• Author: Hawkins, J. A.
• Title: X-ray Assessment of Electrofishing Injury of Colorado Pikeminnow.
• USFW Year: 2002.
• USFW - Doc Type: Recovery Program Project 64,
• Copyright Material: NO

compression of 11 vertebrae.
Fish with previous electrofishing captures showed no evidence of multiple
injuries as would be expected if electrofishing caused high rates of non-lethal injuries in
this long-lived species. I conclude that injuries other than vertebral compressions and
inadequate handling procedures after capture may increase physiological shock and be
of greater potential for increasing mortality than vertebral compressions. Following
standard electrofishing guidelines and regular training of field crews should reduce or
maintain injuries at low levels.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

I thank the following people for assistance with this project. Eric Bergersen,
eolorado State University (CSU), Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit provided
x-ray equipment. Joe VanCleave and the staff at CSU Veterinary Teaching Hospital
assisted in x-ray procedure, technique, and film developing and James Brecht, DVM
assisted in interpreting radiographic images. Bobby Compton and Jack Ruppert of
esu, Larval Fish Laboratory assisted in field x-ray procedures. Recovery Program
sampling crew leaders Tom Chart, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources (UDWR, now
with U.S. Bureau of Reclamation), Bill Elmblad, Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW),
and Melissa Trammel (UDWR, now with SWCA, Inc.) and their assistants Rick
Anderson, Caleb Chadwick, Kelley Crane, and Rob Martindale captured fish for our use
and allowed us to monitor their capture techniques. X-ray technicians at Memorial
Hospital in Craig, Colorado, Community Hospital in Grand Junction, Colorado and
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