7354

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7354
• Author: Wydoski, R. S.
• Title: Biological Review of Endangered or Imperiled Fish in the Upper Colorado River Basin.
• USFW Year: 1985.
• USFW - Doc Type: Washington, D. C.
• Copyright Material: NO

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Future management of aquatic resources in the Upper Colorado River Basin must
consider the social and economical needs of the American public for water
development, political, legal and institutional constraints, and biological
requirements of the rare organisms so that realistic and practical decisions can
be made for integrated management of this important river system.
The objectives of this report were to: (1) Review what is known about the
biology and ecological requirements of the rare or imperiled Colorado River fish
species -- i.e., Colorado squawfish, humpback chub, bonytail chub, and razorback
sucker; (2) Determine what available biological data requires further analysis
or refinement; and (3) Identify actions that are needed to protect or restore
the rare endemic fish of the Upper Colorado River Basin.
The following actions are needed to maintain or enhance the rare fish species in
the Upper Colorado River Basin:
1. Improve coordination of all biological work in the upper basin by
developing an integrated interagency biological program.
2. Synthesize existing biological data to determine what is already known
and identify gaps in the data that are necessary to develop adequate
biological opinions for making a;ffective management decisions.
3. Develop a single data base to provide more complete information on the
entire upper basin and to be able to pool small sample sizes for better
biological interpretations.
4. Accelerate efforts to develop a standardized monitoring program (e.g.,
standard gear, effort, sampling period based upon appropriate
environmental conditions rather than date alone, etc.) to obtain
information on relative abundance (e.g., catch-per-of-effort) that can
be used to compare relationships between the status of the rare fish and
environmental conditions.
5. Screen proposed biological studies for direct applicability to the
recovery process, rank topics so that available resources (i.e., funding
and personnel) can be allocated efficiently; and adjust ranking annually
based on new knowledge.
These actions should be implemented through an interagency group such as the
Upper Colorado River Basin Coordinating Committee. The Biological Subcommittee
or similar group should be given the responsibility for identifying and refining
biological data needs related to monitoring, management, recovery process, and
administrative activities.
Various study topics were identified from the published literature, unpublished
reports, and discussions with various investigators, and are offered (along with
rationale and consideration) for review and appropriate action by the Biological
Subcommittee or similar group. These study topics were divided into three major
categories: Life History and Ecological Requirements, Augmentation or Recovery,
and Protection and Enhancement of Rare Colorado River Fish.
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