San Juan River Colorado Pikeminnow MonitoringStocking hatchery-reared fish is a common method used to rebuild endangered species populations that are extirpated or extremely small. However, the success of stocking is often poor and studies are typically needed to evaluate the success of the stocking and to refine stocking protocols. The San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program initiated stocking of young Colorado pikeminnow (Ptychocheilus lucius) in the San Juan River of New Mexico in fall 2002. BIO-WEST was contracted to evaluate survival and retention, growth, and habitat use of Colorado pikeminnow in the San Juan River. Beginning in December 2002, BIO-WEST sampled seasonally to evaluate stocking success, and potentially provide information to improve success of future stocking. In 2003 BIO-WEST began experimenting with different acclimation and stocking protocols to examine their impact on retention of stocked Colorado pikeminnow. Most recently, BIO-WEST has investigated habitat availability and use by young pikeminnow. These efforts are the first to quantify this habitat relationship, and they have important implications for the management and conservation of Colorado pikeminnow. The study is conducted in cooperation with the Department of New Mexico Game and Fish, the University of New Mexico, and the UDWR. Funding is provided by the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program. 2002-present. |   |
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