Non-native Fishes Management in the Virgin River Basin, Utah

Authors: Erik Woodhouse, Rick Fridell, Martin Schijf, Melinda Bennion, Christian Edwards, Kody Callister, Sarah Siefken

Year: 2022

Abstract

The Virgin River, located in southwestern Utah, supports two federally endangered fishes including Woundfin, Plagopterus argentissimus and Virgin River Chub, Gila seminuda. Additionally, four other native fishes inhabit the Virgin River Basin, including Virgin Spinedace, Lepidomeda mollispinis, Speckled Dace, Rhinichthys osculus, Desert Sucker, Catostomus clarkii, and Flannelmouth Sucker, Catostomus latipinnis. The introduction of many non-native fishes in the Virgin River Basin has greatly reduced native fishes populations basin-wide through predation, competition for resources, and disease. The management of non-native fishes through intensive monitoring, chemical and mechanical eradication efforts, and public outreach are key components to the recovery and conservation of these native fishes. This presentation will highlight the efforts of the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources in collaboration with local and federal partners through the Virgin River Program to manage non-native fishes in the Virgin River Basin identifying current and historical non-native fishes, non-native monitoring and eradication efforts, and public outreach aimed at preventing future non-native fishes introductions.