WSPC01801

• File Number: 8240.200.10.H
• Description: Colorado River Threatened-Endangered - UCRBRIP - Program Organization-Mission - Stocking
• State: CO
• Basin: Colorado Mainstem
• Water Division: 5
• Date: 3/10/1994
• Author: DOI-FWS
• Title: Interim Procedures for Stocking Non-Native Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin - 03-10-94
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Report/Study

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D. Table 2 identifies the nonnative fish species that already occur
in the Upper Basin but are not currently managed through stocking
by the Service, State agencies, commercial aquaculture, or other
private entities. Any proposal to stock these species would need
to be evaluated for potential impacts to the endangered Colorado
River fishes. The justification and evaluation would be
consistent with Section 5, elements a-g of the American Fisheries
Society Position Statement on the Introduction of Aquatic Species,
as follows (acceptable modifications to the Position Statement are
noted in parentheses):

a. RATIONALE. Reasons for seeking an import should be clearly
stated and demonstrated. It should be clearly noted what
qualities are sought that would make the import more desirable
than native forms.

b. SEARCH. Within the qualifications set forth under RATIONALE, a
search of possible contenders should be made, with a list
prepared of those that appear most likely to succeed, and the
favorable and unfavorable aspects of each species noted.

c. PRELIMINARY ASSESSMENT OF THE IMPACT. This should go beyond
the area of RATIONALE to consider impact on target aquatic
ecosystems (and the listed fish), general effect on game and
food fishes or waterfowl, on aquatic plants and public health.
The published information on the species should be reviewed and
the species should be studied in preliminary fashion in its
biotype.

d. PUBLICITY AND REVIEW. The subject should be entirely open and
expert advice should be sought. It is at this point that
thoroughness is in order. No importation is so urgent that it
should not be subject to careful evaluation.

e. EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH. If a prospective import passes the
first four steps, a research program should be initiated by an
appropriate agency or organization to test the import in
confined waters (experimental ponds, etc.) (Note: research will
usually be considered only when existing research and
literature is lacking or insufficient to address a proposal).

f. EVALUATION OR RECOMMENDATION. Again publicity is in order and
complete reports should be circulated amongst interested
scientists and presented for publication. (Note: publishing
schedules of technical journals frequently will not allow
timely review of stocking proposals).

g. INTRODUCTION. With favorable evaluation, the releases should
be effected and monitored, with results published or
circulated.

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