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<br />l;J2434 <br /> <br />From a practical perspective, successful plan implementation may depend on reducing <br />conflict between control measures and other interests, especially recreational sport <br />fishing. <br /> <br />The strategic plan uses a two-tiered approach in applying fish control measures <br />to geographic locations. At the basin-wide level, control of nonnative fish would be <br />facilitated by 1) changing stocking protocols, 2) increasing harvest (take) of nonnative <br />fishes in target waters, and 3) reducing escapement from impoundments. At the scale <br />of river reaches, the plan defines more specific measures for nonnative fish control in <br />high priority recovery areas. <br /> <br />For at least 10 years, there has been a clear mandate from the Recovery <br />Implementation Program to initiate actions that would reduce the negative effects of <br />nonnative fishes on the listed native species. Specific tasks have been identified, but <br />there remains a general institutional reluctance to agree that nonnative fishes are a <br />significant problem and to proceed with nonnative fish control. Instead, there is a <br />tendency to commission further evaluations and studies rather than to pursue specific <br />control measures. The reluctance to take action may be attributed to an ~"'--- ? <br />understandable prudence on the part of scientists and managers, who seek <br />assurances of success before taking action. However, without control of nonnative <br />fishes it is anticipated that extant stocks of listed fishes will continue to decline. As <br />populations of the listed fishes dwindle, the probability of extinction rises. We conclude <br />that there simply is not the time or the biological material to risk on time-consuming <br />pilot studies that mayor may not be sufficiently convincing to justify significant control <br />actions. The pressing threat of extinction calls for a greater reliance on best <br />professional judgment for assessing the available scientific evidence. The strategic <br />plan embodies such an approach and offers direction for control efforts. The <br />effectiveness of those efforts, which cannot be guaranteed at the outset, can be tested <br />as they are implemented and the new information can enable program directors to <br />redirect resources as necessary. Because of the extensive anthropogenic changes <br />that have occurred, the insular nature of the entire Colorado River basin, and the <br />fragmentation of native fish populations, we believe that bold steps are needed to <br />maintain the native fauna of the upper Colorado River basin and to avert extinction of <br />its endangered fishes. <br /> <br />vi <br />