6047

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 6047
• Author: Colorado River Wildlife Council.
• Title: Minutes, Colorado River Fish & Wildlife Council.
• USFW Year: 1983.
• USFW - Doc Type: April 4-5, 1983.
• Copyright Material: NO

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The Fish Disease Sub-Committee (FDSC) met twice during 1982. Downlisting of Channel
.Catfish Virus (CCV) from prohibited to notifiable status was discussed. The
detection method for the pathogen is not specific and the disease is stress mediated.
Committeemen Goede and Anderson are developing written rationale for the downlisting.
The FDSC wishes to emphasize the importance of the CRWC Fish Disease Control
Policy. It represents an effective system of fish health management and, through
the Policy related inspections and cooperation among the seven Colorado River Basin
states, occurrence of pathogens in the drainage has been kept to a minimum.
A summary report on fish disease pathogens in the drainage is being revised to
reflect 1982 inspections. Included will be number of stations inspected annually
plus a summary of the history of the FDSC and the policy.
Also accompanying this report is a copy of the Fish Disease Control Policy reflecting
minor changes and updating. Mr. Don Manzer (California) was invited and has agreed
to serve as Fish Health Representative for California on the FDSC.
A replacement for Gary Edwards (Arizona) on the FDSC was discussed. As provided
in the Policy, FDSC membership is composed of an administrator (chairman), two
pathologists and one manager. A fishery manager from Nevada has been contacted
to serve on the FDSC but has not yet responded.
Revised fish disease inspection/certification and request for inspection forms
are being printed. These forms will be numbered to allow more effective tracking
of the program. The new forms and revised policy will be forwarded to fish health
representatives as soon as forms are printed.
The future of the FDSC was discussed in detail during the year. Following completion
of items discussed in this report, the large share of Committee work will rest with
the chairman in processing forms through 1983. At the 1984 Technical Committee
meeting it will be suggested the CRWC issue a policy statement about the disease
control program concerning its continuation and recommending rotating the chair
of the FDSC.
Hydrilla Ad-Hoc Committee - Chairman, Jim St. Amant
The main purpose of this committee is to maintain an active monitoring and awareness
program of the Colorado River states to detect any new infestation of hydrilla.
To accomplish.this, field personnel must be,knowledgeable about hydrilla. Fred
Nibling, botanist with BR has a training class available and all member states are
encouraged to participate. Arizona personnel have taken this class. Information
leaflets will again be distributed to the states when they become available.
Report from Task Force on Warmwater Cultural Station to Serve Upper Basin
Lee Mills, USFWS, was unable to attend the Task Force meeting but a report on this
topic was provided by Upper Basin Chairman,.Rod Stone.
Joe Valentine who is associated with endangered fish and Colorado River fishes
recovery plans has been directed to look for warmwater hatchery sites in the
Colorado River drainages for the culture of squawfish. He has also been instructed
to provide this information for possible warmwater sports fish culture sites. It
is apparent that USFWS is strongly considering combining culture of the two types
of fishes in one location, of possible.