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<br />COLORADO RIVER RECOVERY PROGRAM <br />FY 94 ANNUAL PROJECT REPORT <br /> <br />RECOVERY PROGRAM <br />PROJECT NUMBER: 14 <br /> <br />I. Title of Project: Determine status of Colorado squawfish (Population <br />Structure Analysis) in the upper Colorado River including the <br />evaluation of previously stocked fish, <br /> <br />II, Principal Investigator(s): Frank Pfeifer, Project Leader <br /> <br />Douglas B. Osmundson <br />U,S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br />Colorado River Fishery Project <br />764 Horizon Drive, South Annex A <br />Grand Junction, CO 81506-3946 <br />Phone 303-245-9319, FAX 245-6933 <br />Internet: R6FFA_GRJ@FWS.GOV <br /> <br />III. Project Summary: <br /> <br />This study is evaluating the size, age structure, distribution of the <br />adult squawfish population in the upper Colorado River for comparison <br />with similar data collected 15 years ago, This will allow us to draw <br />conclusions about population status and form a baseline by which we <br />can gauge progress of recovery efforts. A secondary goal of the <br />survey is to determine survival and distribution of hatchery-reared <br />squawfish stocked in the Colorado and Gunnison rivers during 1982- <br />1984. This information will be particularly useful in evaluating the <br />usefulness of stocking in recovery. Both study goals are being met, <br />Large samples of adult Colorado squawfish were obtained allowing for <br />reliable size-frequency analysis as well as estimates of the <br />percentage of the population comprised of stocked individuals. <br />Recapture rates were high (50%), allowing for a fairly good <br />confidence interval around a population point estimate. The fourth <br />year of data collection (1994) allowed for an estimate to be made of <br />the survival rate for the adult population above Westwater Canyon. <br />The data collection portion of this study was completed in 1994. A <br />draft report is due in January 1995 and a final report in May 1995. <br /> <br />IV, Study Schedule: <br />Initial year: FY 92 <br />Final year: FY 95 <br /> <br />V, Relationship to RIPRAP: General Recovery Pro9ram Support Action <br />Plan: V.A.I.b, Identify and evaluate new methodologi,es for monitoring <br />population parameters. <br /> <br />VI, Accomplishment of FY 94 Tasks and Oeliverables, Discussion of Initial <br />Findings and shortcomings: Tasks for 1994 included a final two-month <br />field effort to capture as many adult squawfish from the Colorado <br />River as possible during the April-June runoff period; this was <br />accomplished on schedule, Analysis of the 1991-1993 data has largely <br />been completed but analysis of the 1994 data has not yet been <br />finished, However, a May 1995 deadline for a final report will still <br />be met, <br />