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.. \ o experimental stocking of razorback suckers into the Colorado and Green Rivers. There has been no evidence of natural reproduction of the razorback sucker in the past twenty or so years, and without stocking, the wild populations could become extinct in the forseeable future. o est:lblishing refuge or protected populations of each of the endangered fishes as a safe guard against a catastrophic event (e.g., oil spill) which may decimated the fish in the wild. o genetic surVeYS to evaluate the amount of genetic diversity and variability present in wild populations of all four of the endangered fish species. o an assessment of the need for additional facilities to provide hatchery raised endangered fish. o production of the endangered fish at the Service's hatchery at Dexter, New Mexico, to meet immediate needs for fish for research studies and experimental stocking. Currently. a stocking program for the Colorado squawfish is a not a top priority in the program because the populations in both the Green and Colorado Rivers are showing signs of natural reproduction and recruitment in the wild. c. Conclusion ----- The Service recognizes the importance of both water acquisition and stocking in the recovery of the endangered Colorado River fishes. Water acquisition, refining the operation of Federal Reservoirs, and protection of instream flows is fundamental to achieving the primary goal of the Recovery Program-- establishing naturally self-sustaining populations of the endangered fishes in the wild. Hatcheries and stocking will be used where they will contribute to the achieving this goal. In this context, they will play an important role in reestablishing populations that are in critical condition in the wild, providing fish to support studies on the habitat requirements of the fish, and in Inaintaining protected populations of the fish as a safeguard against extinction in the wild.