7999

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7999
• Author: Colorado River Wildlife Council.
• Title: Minutes, Colorado River Fish & Wildlife Council.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: April 23-24, 1996.
• Copyright Material: NO

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used cutoff bays and arms created by water fluctuation to
raise fingerling fish, cultured through artificial means, to
a point where, after the first year of growth, it is assumed
they will be large enough to survive the predation and
competition applied on newly hatched larvae and fry.
The annual work cycle involves identification of
spawning groups of razorback along the shoreline or shoals
by helicopter in March. Later fry are collected from all of
the known spawning groups, being especially careful to try
and collect from each spawning group. Fry are then
transferred to Willow Beach NFH where they are reared until
approximately 25mm, then stocked into the variously prepared
coves and lakeside ponds. Currently these number 11 around
the lake. Some fish are continually held in the hatchery
and over-wintered to be stocked one year hence. These fish
show tremendous growth and, at the time of stocking are nose
tagged.
The group is also working with bonytail chub, which are
collected by other methods and reared at Dexter NFH and then
as yearlings, nose tagged and placed into Lake Mojave. The
numbers of both species introduced are impressive. The last
two years, for example, some 60,000 to 64,000 individuals
were restocked each year. Fish from the 1992 year-class are
returning to spawning grounds at more than 500mm length.
The current objective is to reach a reservoir population of
about 60,000 adults by the year 2000. The objective appears
to be within reach. At that time, the program will be
evaluated by the group.
FISH DISEASE COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS
Mr. Larry Harris (CO) led the discussion on progress
since the December 1995 Council meeting. The Council agreed
last year to form a fish health committee to gather
information and provide recommendations to the Council on
the diseases and fish health situation of the native fish on
the Colorado system. Mr. Harris has gathered pathologists
from the various states together on two occasions to
determine their input about a fish disease committee. The
first meeting was held in conjunction with the whirling
disease conference in February and a second meeting in March
where the group produced a draft for Council consideration
(Appendix "E"). The draft has been reviewed and approved by
all committee members. Mr. Harris discussed the background
and need for the recommended composition and objectives of
the committee.
During Council and staff discussion, major comments
included the desire to have FWS membership on the committee.
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