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EXECUTIVE SUIVIMARY <br />Direction for initiating razorback sucker propagation and augmentation of the upper <br />Colorado River basin within the state of Utah is provided in this document. The current <br />population status and trends, factors limiting natural reproduction, and the risk assessment of <br />reintroduction and augmentation are discussed. Goals and objectives of broodstock <br />development, the breeding strategy, and the location of stocking sites in the upper Colorado <br />River basin within Utah aze described. <br />The recommendations outlined meet the goals and objectives set forth by the Genetics <br />Management Plan (Czapla 1999) and the Endangered Fish Interim Management Objectives for <br />the Upper Colorado River Basin Recovery and Implementation Program (Lentsch et al. 1998). <br />This outlined approach considers size offish to stock, and time of year to release for the most <br />efficient use of grow out facilities. This stocking plan would require facilities with a capacity for <br />grow out of 12,100 kg of fish per year, and could achieve the objectives by year eight. It is <br />recommended that: <br />• Years 1 through 3, razorback suckers be stocked 130 mm and 27S mm in <br />approximately equal masses. <br />• Following this recommendation, in year 1, 110,000 (6,OS0 kg) 130 mm razorback <br />suckers would be stocked in the spring, and 22,000 (6,OS0 kg) 27S mm razorback <br />suckers would be stocked in the fall. <br />• In years 2 and 3, SS,000 (3,025 kg) 130 mm razorback suckers would be stocked <br />in spring, and 11,000 (3,025 kg) 27S mm razorback suckers would be stocked in <br />the following fall. <br />• In years 4 and S, 22,000 (6,OS0 kg) razorback suckers would be stocked in the <br />fall. <br />Evaluation of this stocking plan includes monitoring and mazking/tagging <br />recommendations. Subsequent monitoring will -allow evaluation of relative survival rates of each <br />yeaz class stocked. An estimate of adult population size can be determined as well as levels of <br />natural recruitment contributing to the population. The stocking approach will then be adjusted <br />to meet the needs of the RIP as determined by the Biology Committee. <br />The Bonytail Reintroduction Plan for the Upper Colorado River Basin as well as relevant <br />issues associated with this reintroduction aze briefly discussed (Lentsch et al. 1996). The State of <br />Utah recommends the continuation of stocking 120 mm bonytail as in the past. The lack of <br />genetic variability in bonytail makes the requirement for several family lots unnecessary. Thus, <br />IMO levels should be reached as quickly as possible. It is recommended that the target IMO <br />level for the upper basin bonytail stock as stated in Lentsch et al. (1998) be expanded to apply to <br />each population reestablished. <br />LIST OF KEY WORDS <br />stocking plan, Green River, Colorado River, razorback sucker, bonytail <br />vii <br />