Technical Report

Rio Grande Silvery Minnow Rescue and Salvage - 2007

URL: https://webapps.usgs.gov/mrgescp/documents/Remshardt_2008_RGSM%20Rescue%20and%20Salvage%20-%202007.pdf

Date: 2008/12/08

Author(s): Remshardt W.J.

Publication: Prepared for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, 30 p.

Abstract:

This report documents efforts during 2007 to reduce the mortality of post-larval Rio Grande silvery minnow (Hybognathus amarus) when flow in the Middle Rio Grande became intermittent. In January of 2007, New Mexico Fish and Wildlife Conservation Office (NMFWCO) assumed responsibility for salvage operations for Rio Grande silvery minnow. Initially, we formulated a new salvage protocol to more effectively manage the salvage activities. This included defining criteria for how and when we would salvage Rio Grande silvery minnow. These criteria were defined using field experience (air temperature and secondary fish health) and after reviewing tolerances of Rio Grande silvery minnow to environmental variables developed by K. Buhl, USGS Ecotoxicology Research Center in Yankton, South Dakota.

Also in 2007, we continued collaborative research efforts with Dr. Colleen Caldwell at New Mexico Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit in Las Cruces, New Mexico. This research was initiated to determine the effects of salvage and intermittency on stress and survival of Rio Grande silvery minnow. Results indicate that efforts undertaken in 2007 improved the survival of Rio Grande silvery minnow that had been subjected to poor habitat and water quality conditions during intermittency and subsequent handling during salvage.