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<br />Task 4. Data entry, data analysis, consult with statistician, write annual report. <br /> <br />Task 5. Sampling team coordination, data entry, and analysis. <br /> <br />All tasks were met in year 2002. Initial discussions by agency teams refined the <br />methodology for sampling. Standard data sheets and the Standard Operating Procedure <br />Manual used for the middle Green River abundance estimation project (22i) were sent to <br />all field personnel (Tasks \,2,4, and 5). The Manual provided an overview of the work, <br />the sampling approach, endangered fish handling and tagging procedures and <br />standardized data forms. Periodic updates among crews during the sampling period <br />allowed a refined approach to sampling (Task 5). Crews also had to equip and rig <br />equipment specific for the sampling approach (Task 2). Three sampling passes were <br />completed for the Desolation-Grey Canyon reach and three passes were completed in the <br />lower Green River sampling reach as planned (Task 3). <br /> <br />Sampling occurred from late-March to mid-June, 2002 (Table I). In 2001, electrofishing <br />effort included 16\ hrs in the Deso-Grey reach for sampling passes one and three and 3\8 <br />hrs for all four sampling passes in the lower Green River. In 2002, electrofishing effort <br />included 230 hrs in the Deso-Grey reach for all sampling passes, and 247 hrs for the three <br />sampling passes in the lower Green River. In 2001, total Colorado pikeminnow captures <br />recorded during an passes was 574, 308 from the Deso-Grey reach and 266 from the <br />lower Green reach. Recaptures of Colorado pikeminnow from the Deso-Grey and lower <br />Green River reaches totaled 26 and 28 events, respectively and include only fish handled <br />on previous 200 \ sampling passes. In 2002, total Colorado pikeminnow captures <br />recorded during all passes was 352, 137 from the Deso-Grey reach and 2 15 from the <br />lower Green reach. Recaptures of Colorado pikeminnow from the Deso-Grey and lower <br />Green River reaches totaled 38 and 44, respectively, and represent fish handled on <br />previous 2002 sampling passes and those tagged in previous years. The number of <br />recaptures of fish captured and released in all passes in 2002 totaled 7 each ofthe Deso- <br />Grey and lower Green River reaches. <br /> <br />All data reported here are preliminary and subject to change after all data forms and data <br />files are scrutinized for errors and clarified. <br /> <br />Prior to final data analysis and development of abundance estimates, we need to establish <br />a firm definition of what we and the Program considers the length ofan adult Colorado <br />pikeminnow to be included in estimates of adult fish abundance. This issue is important <br />because abundance and recruitment levels defmed in Recovery Goals are for fish of a <br />ceratin length or age. Resolution of this issue will ensure that abundance estimates are <br />calculated using the correct length- or age-group of fish. <br /> <br />VII. Recommendations: <br /> <br />Data will be evaluated as per task 5 to detemline if sampling methods were adequate to <br />obtain unbiased and relatively precise estimates of abundance of Colorado pikeminnow. <br /> <br />FY 2002 Annual Report 22j Page - 3 <br />