Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarkii Virginalis)

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Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus Clarkii Virginalis) Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) Data: Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Status Assessment - 2008 Conservation Agreement for Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout - 2013 Partners: Colorado Parks and Wildlife, New Mexico Dept. of Game and Fish, U.S. Forest Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Jicarilla Apache Nation, Mescalero Apache Nation, Taos Pueblo, 15 CO County Coalition, Trout Unlimited Photo credit: Colorado Trout Unlimited. ii | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated May 2016 Species Status Review vation. Colorado and New Mexico have active conservation plans that outline strategies and The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) implementation schedules. received a petition in 1998 to list the Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout (RGCT) under the Sportfishing Status of the Endangered Species Act. In a 90-day find- ing, the agency concluded that listing was not Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout warranted. However, in 2001 a candidate status review was initiated in response to litigation Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout are considered a appealing this decision and new informa- sport fish by all state, federal and tribal agencies tion, particularly regarding the presence of that manage this subspecies. Harvest restric- whirling disease within the native range of tions are in place for most conservation popula- the sub- species (USFWS 2002). The results tions (usually catch and release, flies and lures of this review were published in 2002, and it only) but there are also many RGCT non-con- was again determined that listing of this taxon servation populations managed for recreational was not warranted (USFWS 2002). In 2005, a fishing where standard regulations and bag petition for Review of Agency Action regard- limits apply. RGCT recreational fishing waters ing the ‘not warranted’ decision was denied. are frequently located in high- elevation lakes That decision was appealed to the 10th Circuit where cold water temperatures and lack of Court. After briefs were filed, USFWS settled spawning habitat is expected to prevent natural the case and agreed to conduct a new status trout reproduction. Some of these recreation review. In 2014, USFWS determined that that populations have the potential to act as ‘genetic listing under the Endangered Species Act was refugia’ for pure historic populations, but many not warranted. The subspecies is recognized as also contain other Oncorhynchus taxa that are a species of special concern in both Colorado expected to hybridize with RGCT where op- and New Mexico, and as a sensitive species portunities for natural reproduction occur. Rio within USFS Regions 2 and 3 and the Bureau Grande Cutthroat Trout are considered to be of Land Management. In 2006, the RGCT easily captured by anglers, which could suggest Conservation Team adopted the Inland Cut- its vulnerability to excessive harvest. throat Trout Protocol as a tool for assessing However, over-harvest is not considered a the rangewide status of RGCT. The first draft problem to RGCT at this time. Special regu- of a Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Rangewide lations requiring catch-and-release, limited Database was completed by the RGCT Con- harvest, and terminal tackle restrictions have servation Team in March, 2007. The RGCT demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining Conservation Team created a 2008 Rangewide trout populations in the face of a wide range Status Report for RGCT; another is sched- of fishing pressure, and have been applied to uled for completion in 2016. In addition, there native cutthroat trout waters in the two states. is a signed Conservation Agreement (2013) Core RGCT populations are protected by fish- and Conservation Strategy (2013) in place to ing closures in some instances. The tendency identify partners and goals for RGCT conser- RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) | III for these populations to be composed largely Rio Grande Cutthroat Habitat of small-sized fish may also reduce interest by anglers wishing to harvest fish. Requirements Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout habitat prefer- ence is consistent with typical cutthroat trout Distribution habitat. Cutthroat trout, in general, prefer clear, streams and lakes. Population densities are reg- Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout are native to ulated mostly by stream size and morphology, the Rio Grande and Pecos River drainages over-wintering habitat, stream productivity, and of Colorado and New Mexico. They are also summer cover for predator avoidance. Optimal believed to be native to the Canadian Riverd- cutthroat trout stream habitat is characterized rainage of Colorado and New Mexico, but no by clear, cold water, a silt free rocky substrate in early historic specimens or written accounts are riffle-run areas; an approximately 1:1 pool-riffle available to verify this. ratio with areas of slow, deep water; well veg- etated stream banks; abundant in-stream cover; Range and GMUs of the RGCT and relatively stable water flow and tempera- ture regimes. Optimal lacustrine habitat is characterized by clear, cold, deep lakes that are typically oli- gotrophic, but may vary in size and chemical quality, particularly in reservoir habitats. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout are stream spawners and require gravel substrates for reproduction to occur. Growth depends primarily on food availability, size of prey, competition, water temperatures, and the length of the growing season. Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout popula- tions inhabiting small streams typically range in size from 2 inches at age 1 to 12 inches at age 7. However, RGCT inhabiting productive lakes can grow considerably larger. RGCT Rangewide Database 2013 iv | Western Native Trout Status Report - Updated May 2016 Concerns and Issues Relative stock of pure RGCT has been developed at Haypress Lake, in addition to a back-up brood to the Conservation and Im- stock at the Pitkin Hatchery. New Mexico has also developed brood stock at Seven Springs provement of RGCT State Hatchery for restoration and recreational stocking. Habitat degradation, hybridization, and com- petition with non‐native trout are the primary threats to the security of RGCT populations. Habitat Concerns Other concerns include lack of connectivity to A wide variety of land management practices maintain genetic diversity, potential for angler have been suggested to threaten the continued over‐ harvest, impacts of whirling disease, and existence of populations of RGCT, including catastrophic threats such as drought and forest overgrazing, heavy metal pollution, and water fire. depletion and diversion. Some of these practic- es have served to isolate upstream populations Genetic Considerations of RGCT and protect them from invasion by nonnative salmonids, but they also serve Extensive genetic testing of RGCT has been to fragment streams and isolate populations. conducted rangewide. Results of genetic analy- In addition, natural climatic events such as sis will be used to guide management decisions drought, floods, and fires can threaten popula- for the conservation of RGCT and where tions of RGCT, especially when stream popula- possible, the subspecies will be managed on the tions remain fragmented, small and isolated. basis of each geographic unit. Genetic evalua- Fires also provide conservation opportunities tion has been conducted, and will continue to for re-establishing RGCT in areas previously be conducted, in order to make genetic distinc- inhabited by non-native trout. Temporary habi- tions between populations from the various tat loss due to drought and/or water extrac- geographical units. tion in certain years also appears to be a threat Some isolated RGCT populations currently to RGCT populations in Colorado. Habitat exhibit population sizes smaller than those problems are viewed as site specific and not an recommended for optimum population vi- overall threat throughout the range. ability and occupy shorter stream lengths than those recommended. However, all of these Disease Concerns populations remain important elements in the conservation of the subspecies. For some of Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout are susceptible to these populations, there may be opportunities common salmonid diseases, including whirling to increase carrying capacity and the chance of disease, which is caused by the myxosporidian long- term persistence by improving habitat Myxobolus cerebralis (MC). Native cutthroat quality, expanding available habitat down- trout, including RGCT, exposed to MC in stream, and linking them with other isolated sentinel fish experiments suffered greater mor- populations. Within Colorado, a blended brood tality from the infection than other non-native RIO GRANDE CUTTHROAT TROUT (Oncorhynchus clarkii virginalis) | V salmonid species like brown trout. Transmis- harvest, and terminal tackle restrictions have sion of diseases to wild cutthroat popula- demonstrated effectiveness in maintaining tions from non-native trout is recognized as a trout populations in the face of a wide range of potential threat. Physical barriers (both natural fishing pressure, and have been applied to na- and man- made) that serve to isolate RGCT tive cutthroat waters throughout Colorado and populations also provide significant protection New Mexico. Scientific collection of wildlife from transmission of fish diseases. Both Colo- is regulated through permit systems in both rado and New Mexico have statewide policies Colorado and New Mexico requiring formal and regulations that address fish health status,
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