7890

• UCREFRP Catalog Number: 7890
• Author: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• Title: Region 6, Fish and Wildlife Service Guidelines Directing Captive Propagation Of Listed And Candidate Fish.
• USFW Year: 1996.
• USFW - Doc Type: \
• Copyright Material: NO

I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
These guidelines provide the conceptual framework for genetics management and
rationale for maintaining genetic diversity of wild and captive listed and
candidate fish stocks throughout Region 6. A "Genetics Management Plan" will
identify and characterize fish stocks, determine their status and trend, and
establish priorities for effective and rational genetics management by species
and stocks. "Reintroduction and/or Augmentation Plans" for specific actions
will include the justification and rationale for stocking, details regarding
species, size of fish, timing of release, location of release, and an
assessment of genetic risks. In addition, "Monitoring Plans" will be prepared
to describe how the introductions will be evaluated. All plans for listed
species must be approved by the recovery team, and Regional Director, and
covered by a Federal Fish and Wildlife Permit. A section 7 consultation under
the Endangered Species Act may be required to determine if the proposed
actions may jeopardize wild stocks of listed fish.
The philosophy and goals of Region 6's genetics management efforts are to
maintain the genetic integrity of wild and captive-reared listed and candidate
fishes and prevent irreversible losses of genetic diversity that may result
from management interventions or lack of action. Restoration and recovery
efforts will first evaluate management opportunities and potential genetic
risks. Initial efforts will be to protect natural, self-sustaining stocks and
to reestablish wild listeded and candidate fish stocks by removing or
significantly reducing limiting factors responsible for population declines or
• losses. If listed or candidate fish stocks are at critical levels, captive
propagation and stocking may be used as a fishery management tool to
facilitate recovery while preserving genetic diversity. When reintroduction
is needed, an acceptable breeding and rearing strategy will be used to collect
broodstock(s), eggs and rear progeny with genetic diversity similar to that of
the parent wild stocks. Criteria used to identify and characterize listed and
candidate fish stocks include geographic distribution and abundance,
identified or suspected spawning sites, migrations, known movement and
interchange between stocks, and genetic characterization of stocks. Criteria
used to determine status and trends include defining the distribution and
abundance of stocks, documenting spawning and recruitment, identifying the
potential for extinction of stocks from catastrophic events, and estimating
the probability of extinction.
Genetics management of listed and candidate fish species will use four basic
planning steps: (1) inventory and scoping of issues or problems; (2) strategic
planning including genetic risk assessment and identification of strategies to
solve issues or problems; (3) operational planning or implementation of
strategies; and (4) evaluation. All reintroductions will be thoroughly
evaluated to ensure genetic conservation of remaining wild fish stocks.
Reintroduction of captive-reared fishes may be a useful management tool, but
should not be used as a substitute for protection and restoration of habitat.
Wild broodstocks will always be considered the first choose in providing eggs
for a propagation program. If it becomes necessary to develop a captive
• broodstock, a minimum of 50 adults (25 males and 25 females) should be used if
sufficient listed and candidate adult fish are available and removal from the
wild will not jeopardize the genetic characteristics of the founder stock.