8057

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 8057
• Author: Bennett, J. R., D. A. Krieger, T. P. Nesler, L. E. Harris and R. B. Nehring.
• Title: An Assessment Of Fishery Management And Fish Production Alternatives To Reduce The Impact Of Whirling Disease In Colorado.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: Denver, Colorado.
• Copyright Material: NO

In the short term, recommendations include trading fish with the WD- federal fish hatchery
at Hotchkiss, developing an increased water supply and production capacity at the Buena Vista
Correctional Facility, increasing production at the Pitkin hatchery, leasing or purchasing WD-,
private hatchery(s), and purchasing WD- trout from the private sector. Long-term alternatives (in
addition to the short-term) include acquiring new (undeveloped) water sources and cleaning up
and/or modifying existing facilities. However, before any expensive options are finalized, a
thorough cost/benefit analysis (including risk assessment) should be performed by a consulting
firm specializing in hatchery system analysis.
Alternatives
Twenty-two alternatives were identified from the assessment of the various issues. From
this list, seven alternatives were identified as "assumed," meaning that, while they were considered
appropriate by the Team, they were either already being implemented or certain to be
implemented. These "assumed alternatives" are:
* Implement the WD Policy (D-9, May 1996) with respect to protection/stocking restrictions
in native cutthroat trout and wild trout waters.
* Implement recovery, conservation, and management plans to expand the range of three
native cutthroat trout, and restore them to a viable biological status.
* Use native cutthroat in their endemic drainages as the primary species for management in
headwater drainages, providing catch-and-release and limited-harvest fishing opportunities.
* Investigate options for reducing the negative impacts of WD to stocked fish, and evaluate
other species and strains of salmonids for resistance to WD; initiate research to determine
the density, periodicity, and seasonality of waterborne spore production in infested waters.
* Conduct a research project to determine whether the continued stocking of trout from WD+
units into WD+ habitats increases or maintains WD spore levels above that produced by the
alternative tubifex worm host.
* Buy WD- trout from the private sector.
* Trade for WD- trout from federal hatcheries.
Seven additional preferred alternatives were recommended:
Balance the use of WD+ and WD- trout to protect resources while creating and directing
fishing recreation.
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