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presently being monitored by a contractor to the U. S. Fish and <br />Wildlife Service in conjunction with the Recovery Team. <br />(1.12) Monitoring personnel. <br />In the past, the Team has carried out the population census, <br />and to a lesser extent has monitored existing habitat in order <br />to detect changes. Procedures for this undertaking are listed <br />in the Appendix. The Team recommends that the monitoring be <br />assigned to the state organizations which have jurisdiction over <br />fish and wildlife species and habitat, or in lieu of that action, <br />monitoring efforts be contracted to persons acceptable to the <br />states. <br />An agreement has been reached between the Fish and Wildlife Service <br />and the states involved to contract monitoring activities to an <br />outside firm. At present Dr. James Deacon is under contract to <br />Fish and Wildlife Service for this activity, and is being assisted <br />by the Recovery Team. An annual report on those activities will be <br />available. <br />(1.2) Determine habitat requirements necessary to maintain viable <br />woundfin populations. <br />In order to maintain and enhance the present population and habitat, <br />information must be gathered. Portions of the Virgin River presently <br />do not support woundfin. We need, to kaow what makes certain ,reaches <br />suitable habitat and others unsuitable. <br />(1.21) Study existing populations. <br />There is already preliminary data concerning the distribution and <br />instantaneous population density of the woundfin in the Virgin <br />River. We must, however, gather more data on how and why these <br />populations fluctuate during the year and the causes of these <br />fluctuations. Information on incubation, longevity, recruitment, <br />and mortality rates are also needed. These studies should last two <br />years and will cost around $20,000 per year. The studies Should <br />include 6 sampling periods of two weeks duration every other month. <br />Three people would probably be required. In addition, a study is <br />needed that will provide insights into the competitive interactions <br />among the native fishes and between the native and exotic fishes. <br />These studies could be accomplished on the same type of schedule <br />as the previous studies and should cost approximately $20,000 a <br />year for two years. Specifically, information is needed to determine <br />which environmental factors influence competitive interactions among <br />all these fishes. <br />(1.22) Study existing habitat. <br />There is some information available on habitat requirements of the <br />woundfin, but it needs refinement. More information is needed on <br />17 <br />