Management goals toward recovery and delisting.

KEYWORDS: Apache trout; management; recovery; delisting

ABSTRACT

In 1966 the U.S. Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act providing protection against extinction for the Apache trout and numerous other animal species. Subsequent Acts have further strengthened the Nation's resolve to prevent extinction of species. The initial recovery plan for Apache trout was completed in 1978 and revised in 1983 setting forth objectives deemed necessary to recovery this fish. Progress toward recovery has been made; however some obstacles remain. Recovery is possible and will be achieved.

RESUMEN

RECEIVED TOO LATE TO BE TRANSLATED

CONTRIBUTED PAPER

Congress passed the Endangered Species Preservation Act in 1966. This law allowed listing of native animal species as endangered and provided limited means for the protection of species so listed. On March 11, 1967, the Arizona trout (Salmo apache) (= Apache trout, Oncorhynchus apache) was listed as one of numerous species "threatened with extinction. The Endangered Species Conservation Act of 1969 was passed to provide additional protection to species in danger of "worldwide extinction". As a result of this Act, the Apache trout was listed as "endangered." This designation remained until July 16, 1975 when the classification was changed to "threatened". This action was taken because the species was not "endangered" as defined by the Endangered Species Act of 1973, but rather, properly classified as "threatened." The reasons for the change in designation was that good populations of pure stocks of Apache trout existed in several headwater streams of the east fork of the White River and headwaters of Bonito Creek. Additionally, it was believed that fish culture work being done on this species and stream renovation projects would result in the reintroduction of Apache trout to streams within its historic range and therefore the species was not in danger of extinction throughout all or a significant portion of its historic range.

The initial recovery plan was prepared by the Apache trout recovery team and eventually approved by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Lynn Greenwalt on August 20, 1979. This plan was revised by the recovery team and then approved by Regional Director Michael Spear (Region 2) on September 22, 1983. A second revision is in process and scheduled for completion prior to September 30, 1993.

The goal for recovering the Apache Trout still remains to increase populations both in size and number to levels were the species survival in the wild will be assured. At such time delisting can be proposed.

Although the language was changed some what in the 1983 revision, the five objectives remain the same. They follow:

1) Establish and/or maintain 30 self-sustaining discrete populations of pure Apache trout throughout its historic range.

2) Survey and manage Apache trout populations presently existing in waters outside the historic range.

3) Provide habitat protection through implementation of land management practices, programs and acquisitions.

4) Provide adequate enforcement of all Federal, State and Tribal laws and regulations to insure protection of Apache trout.

5) Develop public support of the Apache trout program through an information and education campaign.

Recovery continues to be a team effort with input from all affected agencies and the public. As specified in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 (as amended), Congress intended that all Federal agencies cooperate with State and local agencies to resolve water resource issues in concert with the conservation of endangered species. Section 7 of the ESA requires that consultation occur when there is an expenditure of Federal funds on action where a federally listed species occurs. Cooperation has generally been good.

Although removal of Apache trout from the Endangered Species List remains a goal to be attained, progress has been made toward the completion of all five objectives.

Dr. John Rinne of the U.S. Forest Service was one of the pioneers in cataloguing the various populations of Apache trout and identifying their genetic purity. More recently, biochemical genetic analyses by Genean Laboratories and others indicate there are nine remaining endemic populations that can be identified electrophoretically. These analyses continue and the genetic composition of the species will undoubtedly be further refined as new techniques are developed. Present information gives much insight into how the remaining populations should be managed to preserve the genetic materials that remain.

Efforts to replicate and separate stocks from pure populations from stocks of unknown origin continue with contruction of stream barriers and introduction of pure stocks into renovated receiving waters upstream of barriers.

A captive broodstock population has been developed. In 1983 and again in 1984, eggs and milt were taken from wild Apache trout caught from the east fork of the White River, Arizona, and taken to Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery for culture. This effort has been very successful. In 1991 some 350,000 Apache trout were produced. The stocking of all rainbow trout into waters of the Fort Apache Indian Reservation was discontinued in 1991; Apache trout were stocked in waters throughout the White Mountains on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation. Williams Creek National Fish Hatchery presently maintains 4-year classes of Apache trout broodstocK, approximately 18,000 fish. Not only does the hatchery produce fish for recovery and enhancement introductions, it provides a refugium population also. To maintain genetic material from all nine endemic Apache trout populations, sperm have been preserved cryogenically at Williams Creek National Fish hatchery from four populations; similar preservations are scheduled from the remaining five populations in 1993. In addition, 15,000 Apache trout fingerlings and 250,000 eyed-eggs are being provided annually to the Arizona Game and Fish Department for recovery and enhancement stockings.

An Apache trout implementation plan has been completed for waters within the White Mountains. Although this plan has not been officially approved by the various land management agencies, it provides guidance and sets forth specific actions believed necessary to recovery Apache trout.

Collectively, these actions have contributed toward recovering Apache trout; however, much remains to be accomplished. Brown trout are a major predator and formidable obstacle to maintaining Apache trout populations. Brown trout and other non-native fish predators/competitors must be controlled. Renovation will be necessary in some streams.

Some additional genetic analyses must be conducted on populations where genetic purity is in question. Management objectives are needed for these populations to determine how they will contribute to the conservation of Apache trout.

We in the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service believe Apache trout can be recovered and delisted. A proposal was submitted to the Regional Director on February 28, 1992 specifying actions deemed necessary and funds and personnel required to delist the species. With the continued cooperation of all concerned, we look forward to the day when Apache trout will again be secure in streams throughout the White Mountains.

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