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<br />576 <br /> <br />FISH HEALTH STUDIES <br />1997 Work Plan <br />Pinetop Fish Health Center <br />U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service <br /> <br />Background: <br /> <br />There was no fish health work accomplished on the San Juan River prior to 1992. Since October <br />1992, this laboratory (pinetop Fish Health Center) has participated on adult monitoring and various <br />smaller sampling trips. We have collected fish health samples from many different fish species. <br />There has been a decline in the number oflesions seen, until May, 1996 when a significant increase in <br />lesion incidence level was found. . <br /> <br />We propose to collect and maintain a fish health data base on adult monitoring trips in FY -97. <br />Smaller trips will provide more histopathological samples for the analysis of the unknown material <br />found in the fish lesions. <br /> <br />Objectives: <br /> <br />1) Collect baseline data for health status of San Juan River fish. <br />2) Ascertain possible causes of infectious and noninfectious lesions and other abnormalities <br />observed. <br />3) Determine prevalence of infectious and non-infectious pathogens and abnormalities. <br />4) Monitoring the prevalence of possible electrofishing damage to fish with histopathology <br />5) Analysis of unknown substance found in fish lesions and other tissues. <br />6) Correlate disease incidence with water quality parameters. <br /> <br />Methods: <br /> <br />1) Every river mile (RM): <br />a) record macro-pathology on all fish sampled. <br />b) only selected fish with gross pathology will be sacrificed and sampled for pathogens. Non- <br />lethal sample methods will be utilized whenever possible. <br />C) Colorado River squawfish and razorback suckers may be sampled with mucus and fecal <br />swabs. <br /> <br />2) Every designated mile (DM): <br />a) record macro-pathology on all fish sampled (internal and external, including possible <br />electrofishing injury). <br />b) sacrifice five Catostomus latipinnis and perform complete necropsy, sampling for epizootic <br />fish pathogens. <br />c) assist other San Juan River biologists by analyzing data collected from shocking boats for <br />disease incidence. <br /> <br />Budget: <br />Histopathology <br />TOTAL <br /> <br />$ 5.000 <br />$ 5,000 <br /> <br />36 <br />