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<br />electrofishing methods caused spinal injuries to Colorado pikeminnow. The objective <br />was to identify the percent of Colorado pikeminnow with vertebral injuries after capture <br />by electrofishing during ISMP. <br /> <br />METHODS <br /> <br />Colorado pikeminnow used in this analysis were captured by fishery biologists <br />with Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW) and Utah Division of Wildlife Resources <br />(UDWR) during ISMP sampling in 1996 (McAda et al. 1997). Adult and sub-adult <br />Colorado pikeminnow were captured using standardized electrofishing methods that <br />maintained consistency among researchers, rivers and years (USFWS 1987). <br />Evaluation procedures were conducted in a manner that neither affected ISMP <br />sampling nor harmed Colorado pikeminnow. <br />Sampling was conducted with outboard-powered, aluminum boats equipped with <br />a 5-kilowatt generator and either WP-15 or CPS electrofishing control units, both made <br />by Coffelt Manufacturing. Anodes consisted of two stainless-steel spheres (23-cm or <br />28-cm diameter) mounted individually on fiberglass poles spaced 3.9 m apart and <br />extended 2.4 m forward on each side of the bow. eathodes were two, 7.6-m stainless <br />steel cables suspended off each side of the boat. Electrode size, voltage and <br />amperage were adjusted to maximize capture efficiency while attempting to minimize <br />potential harm to fish. ISMP guidelines recommended only [pulsed] direct current with <br />output not to exceed 300 volts or 12 amps, but usually at or below 6 amps. <br />Each electrofishing crew consisted of a boat driver and usually two netters <br />2 <br />