CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity of the endangered fishes; protecting species in refugia; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish for augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of species. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold), and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessary. Studies to confirm genetic diversity have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species are being protected in refugia to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia immediately. Refugia populations of species are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies Upper Basin wide. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, Integrated Stocking Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility Plan). All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wild. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) augmentation and restoration stocking needs. The plans for these facilities are the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and the Facilities Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities.
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CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity stocks of the endangered fishes; protecting species those stocks in refugia; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish genetic stocks for research, information and education, and augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of speciesgenetic stocks in the wild. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations or stocks will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. Early stocking efforts concentrated on razorback sucker and bonytail. The Recovery Program now is concentrating on implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold)pikeminnow, and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessary. Studies to confirm genetic diversity stocks have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species Stocks are being protected in refugia to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species stocks thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia immediately. Refugia populations of species genetic stocks are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies Upper Basin wide. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species genetic stocks are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, Integrated Stocking Annual Facilities Operations Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility Plan). All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its it’s definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wildnature. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking For this reason, the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan (Xxxxxx et alcontains a task to produce an Annual Facilities Operational Plan. 2003) Based on the Genetics Management Plan, this Annual Facilities Operational Plan provides specific annual guidance for propagation: numbers of adults and family lots needed from each population, number of fish needed in each family lot, and their sizes to where these fish will be produced at Program hatcheries raised and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reachesmaintained. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) ; augmentation and restoration stocking stocking) needs. The plans for these facilities are the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and the Facilities Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities.
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Samples: Consultation, Sufficient Progress, and Historic Projects Agreement, Preface
CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity of the endangered fishes; protecting species in refugiarefuges; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish for augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of species. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold), and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessary. Studies to confirm genetic diversity have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species are being protected in refugia refuges to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia refuge immediately. Refugia Refuge populations of species are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies to the entire Upper Basin wideBasin. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be are monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management GuidelinesGuidelines (Xxxxxxxxxx and Xxxxxxxx 1994), Genetics Management PlanPlan (Xxxxxx 1999), Integrated Stocking Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility PlanWydowski 1994), and the Revised Integrated Stocking Plan (Integrated Stocking Plan Revision Committee 2015). All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wild. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) augmentation and restoration stocking needs. The plans for these facilities are were established in the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and updated in the Facilities Revised Integrated Stocking Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refuge and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The State of Colorado raises bonytail at the X. X. Xxxxx Native Aquatic Species Restoration Facility in Alamosa, Colorado. The State of Utah raises bonytail at the Wahweap State Fish Hatchery in Big Water, Utah. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service raises razorback sucker and bonytail at the Ouray National Fish Hatchery with units near Grand Junction, Colorado (Grand Valley Unit) and Vernal, Utah (Randlett Unit). With a few exceptions, these facilities have achieved their stocking targets for the past several decades. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provided specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Recovery Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. The plan was implemented for over 10 years before being revised based on estimates of survival of stocked fish. The revised stocking plan (Integrated Stocking Plan Revision Committee 2015) recommends stocking larger bonytail and razorback sucker and releasing bonytail in floodplain habitats and backwaters instead of canyon-bound reaches, since new information suggests floodplains may be more suitable habitat. Revisions to augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail) are intended to directly aid in recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. Despite implementation of the revised stocking plan, bonytail post-stocking survival does not yet meet target levels needed to reach recovery. Alternative diet studies and flow training are in progress while anti-predator training efforts are being considered by the Program, in addition to ongoing evaluation of new stocking locations in efforts to increase post-stocking survival of bonytail. Humpback chub are not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of extirpated populations is being considered and additional brood fish from wild populations are being brought into hatcheries. A final report on the genetics of Gila spp. (Xxxx et al. 2019), including humpback chub, assessed genetic variability and uniqueness across the upper and lower basins. Major conclusions included: upper basin populations are more diverse than lower basin, and three should be managed separately as Green River, Upper Colorado, and Lower Colorado genetic management units. Some evidence of roundtail introgression into the Black Rocks population, which should be monitored, warrants keeping this population separate from the Desolation population. Further investigation into localized genetic structure (perhaps due to spawning site fidelity) is recommended to identify unique alleles. Colorado pikeminnow are not currently being stocked; however, Recovery Program partners are working collaboratively to replenish existing broodstock at Southwestern Native ARRC and to develop future broodstock for the Upper Colorado River Basin. In 2020, broodstock collection trips in the middle and lower Green River, and the lower Colorado River, resulted in the collection of 754 lower Green River and 451 lower Colorado River fish. All of the fish were transported to and are being held at Southwestern Native ARRC. Broodstock development efforts are expected to continue through 2021. Afterward, genetic analysis will inform whether additional collections might be needed.
Appears in 1 contract
Samples: And Historic Projects Agreement
CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity of the endangered fishes; protecting species in refugia; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish for augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of species. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold), and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessarynecessary and some fish have been brought into captivity. An ad hoc group reviewed the population and known genetics information from all the humpback populations and concluded that the Recovery Program should: 1) use a decision tree to guide choices in creating a refuge population and potentially stocking fish into the wild; and 2) genetically test, and if appropriate, use Westwater Canyon and Black Rocks humpback chub to initially provide a refuge for Upper Colorado River Basin genetics, because they genetically represent most populations in the upper basin. Studies to confirm genetic diversity have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species are being protected in refugia to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia immediately. Refugia populations of species are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies Upper Basin wide. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, Integrated Stocking Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility Plan), and Integrated Stocking Plan. All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wild. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) augmentation and restoration stocking needs. The plans for these facilities are the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and the Facilities Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. This plan has been implemented for over 7 years and is being revised based on recent estimates of survival of the stocked fish. . A revised stocking plan may recommend stocking bonytail in floodplain habitats instead of canyon-bound reaches, since new information suggests floodplains may be more suitable habitat.
Appears in 1 contract
Samples: And Historic Projects Agreement
CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity of the endangered fishes; protecting species in refugia; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish for augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of species. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold), and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessary. Studies to confirm genetic diversity have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species are being protected in refugia to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia immediately. Refugia populations of species are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies Upper Basin wide. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, Integrated Stocking Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility Plan), and Integrated Stocking Plan. All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wild. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) augmentation and restoration stocking needs. The plans for these facilities are the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and the Facilities Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches.
Appears in 1 contract
Samples: And Historic Projects Agreement
CONSERVE GENETIC INTEGRITY AND AUGMENT OR RESTORE POPULATIONS. Species recovery depends on protecting and managing species genetic resources. This is a complex activity that includes: determining the genetic diversity of the endangered fishes; protecting species in refugia; planning, developing, and operating propagation facilities; propagating fish for augmentation or restoration, research, and information and education; and planning, implementing, and evaluating augmentation or restoration of species. Stocking is only an interim tool in the Recovery Program because recovery, by definition, implies that the populations will be self-sustaining in the wild. The success of augmentation and restoration stocking is dependent on prior or concurrent implementation of other recovery actions such as flow protection, habitat restoration, and management of nonnative fishes. This dependency is reflected in the schedule of subbasin-specific actions in Section 4.0. The Recovery Program has recognized the need to increase augmentation and restoration stocking (primarily for razorback sucker and bonytail), both for recovery of the species and to establish fish in the system to be able to demonstrate that habitat and instream flow activities are having an effect on endangered fish recovery. The Recovery Program is implementing an integrated stocking plan developed for bonytail, Colorado pikeminnow (stocking on hold), and razorback sucker. The Recovery Program continues to evaluate the need for implementing an integrated stocking plan for humpback chub especially for restoring specific stocks thought to be too low for adequate natural recruitment. Humpback chub is not currently being stocked; however, augmentation of existing small populations may become necessarynecessary and some fish have been brought into captivity. Studies to confirm genetic diversity have been vital to genetics management of the endangered fishes. Species are being protected in refugia to develop broodstocks and guard against catastrophe. Representatives of species thought to be in immediate danger of extinction are brought into refugia immediately. Refugia populations of species are developed using paired breeding matrices to maximize genetic variability and maintain genetic integrity. Most of this work is included under the General Recovery Program Support Action Plan because it applies Upper Basin wide. Subbasin-specific activities of augmenting or restoring species are placed under the subbasin Action Plans. Augmentation or restoration plans are being implemented, fish produced, and river reaches restored and augmented with those fish. The effects of these augmentation efforts need to be monitored and evaluated. Four basic documents are used to plan, implement, and coordinate genetics management and artificial propagation for the endangered fishes. These are the Genetics Management Guidelines, Genetics Management Plan, Integrated Stocking Plan, and Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan (Facility Plan), and Integrated Stocking Plan. All four of these plans have been developed and will be revised or updated as needed. The Genetics Management Guidelines document provides the rationale, genetics concepts, and genetic risks to be considered in genetics-management planning and implementation. For example, it indicates that a fish population is the fundamental unit of genetics management and that its definition and characterization, relative to other populations, are important. Genetic surveys have been part of the identification and characterization process. Further, the prioritization and genetics management required for each population is determined by its relative population status, demographic trends, and genetics data derived from the surveys. The Genetics Management Plan is the operational document. It tells the "what, who, when, where" of implementation. It identifies specific objectives, tasks, activities, and type of facilities necessary to accomplish Recovery Program goals, i.e., protect population genetic integrity or restore a self-sustaining population in the wild. It is the action plan developed for implementation, directed by the Recovery Program goals, and structured along the format presented in the Genetics Management Planning Guidelines document. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. Facilities are required to meet long-term (5 years or more) augmentation and restoration stocking needs. The plans for these facilities are the Coordinated Hatchery Facility Plan and the Facilities Plan. These plans, in accordance with the Genetics Management Plan, define facilities required to meet propagation needs, identify fish needs that can be met by existing facilities, and recommend expansion or modification of existing facilities. Genetics management requires a great deal of operational activity. Refugia and propagation facilities have been planned, built, and are now operated in a coordinated fashion. The Integrated Stocking Plan (Xxxxxx et al. 2003) provides specific annual numbers of fish and their sizes to be produced at Program hatcheries and stocked into Upper Colorado River Basin river reaches. This plan has been implemented for over 6 years and needs to be revised based on recent estimates of survival of the stocked fish.
Appears in 1 contract
Samples: And Historic Projects Agreement