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Disposition of Surplus Artificially Propagated Fish documents and identifies the methods <br />needed to reduce program excesses of fish/egg numbers and costs. Surplus fish should be <br />euthanized using an appropriate anesthetic such as tricaine methane sulfonate (MS-222). <br />Carcasses need to be disposed of in a legitimate and ecologically sound manner. Each <br />facility engaged in propagation of imperiled species must have a current approved fish <br />disposition plan for all species propagated at the facility. Surplus fish will nW be released <br />into the wild. Only wild fish released following capture and fish produced specifically for <br />approved stocking projects should be released. Endangered fish produced in excess of <br />program needs become the property and responsibility of the Service. Surplus fish, beyond <br />what is needed for broodstock or production, should be made available for research and <br />outreach for a limited amount of time after spawning; after this time has expired these excess <br />fish should be euthanized to reduce holding costs. <br />RESEARCH <br />Concurrent with the other activities addressed by Restoration and Recovery Plans, various <br />research projects may be initiated and completed. The Recovery Team retains the position of <br />making the final recommendation on research projects. Research and development are vital <br />to provide pertinent information for making intelligent program decisions regarding the <br />implementation of actions to restore and recover the species. Research is always done in a <br />phased, logical manner to answer specific questions, provide important information, or to <br />evaluate experimental efforts relative to implementation of specific strategies. <br />Pr • <br />opagation is particularly important in providing experimental fish for studies related to <br />identification of ecological requirements by life stage, interactions with non-native fishes, <br />homing (i.e. olfaction and chemoreception studies), habitat use, fish passage, taxonomy, <br />anatomy, and physiology. Other examples of needed research would be as follows: 1) <br />Nutritional, 2) Contaminants, 3) Rearing parameters, 4) Culture and spawning <br />techniques, 5) Genetic evaluations, 6) Endangered species sperm preservation <br />[cryopreservation], T) Stocking investigations, 8) Tagging, and 9) Disease identification <br />and control. <br />MUIRMAMN AND EDUCATION <br />Specimens are maintained in aquaria can be used in public relations programs and to educate <br />the public about the ecological requirements of the fish, reasons related to their status as <br />imperiled, efforts being taken to recover these native fishes and the relationship of recovery <br />efforts to development. Specimens can add substantially to environmental education <br />programs, and such educational experiences would be greatly enhanced if students could <br />actually see the fish when explanations for their decline are being discussed. The challenge <br />is to ensure that water can be managed and allocated to meet existing and new municipal, <br />industrial, and agricultural uses, while at the same time, providing stream flows, habitat, and <br />ecological conditions necessary to restore the endangered fishes (Wydoski and Hamill 1991). <br />•