A04_SOW_for_Services_under_25K_updated.docx

United States Department of the Interior

FWS SOUTHWESTERN ESFO

330 CUMMINGS STREET

ABINGDON VA 24210-3208

STATEMENT OF WORK

Propagation of Blotched Chubs (Erimystax insignis) as Host Fishes for Appalachian Monkeyface Pearlymussel Recovery Activities

PR Number: _______________

1. General:

1.1 The US Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) Southwestern Virginia Field Office at 330 Cummings St. Ste. C, Abingdon, VA 24210 is requesting a service that will aid in recovery efforts for the Appalachian monkeyface pearlymussel (Quadrula sparsa). This service involves the collection of blotched chubs (Erimystax insignis) during the active spawning season, preferably from the Powell River drainage in VA and TN, for captive propagation and rearing. The propagated fishes will then be transferred to the VA Department of Wildlife Resources (VADWR) Aquatic Wildlife Conservation Center (AWCC) in Marion, VA to be used as host fish during captive propagation of the federally endangered Appalachian monkeyface. Fishes in the Erimystax genus are difficult to find in the wild and challenging to hold in captivity and this project will require technical knowledge, skills, materials and equipment and a specialized facility for captive propagation and rearing of fishes.

2. Place of Performance and Period of Performance (Where and When) the project is being completed.

Fishes must be collected from the wild during the active spawning season. Captive propagation and rearing of blotched chubs will occur at an existing lab facility, and all healthy captively reared individuals will be transferred to the VDWR AWCC in Marion, VA. The project will start as soon as possible and will not exceed two years or more than two field seasons. Spawning status of individuals in the wild, weather and flow conditions may limit the ability for collection, however the work shall be completed by June 30, 2023 to facilitate the propagation of Q. sparsa.

3. Scope

E. insignis will be collected from the wild, preferably from the Powell River drainage in VA and TN using acceptable collection methods for Erimystax. Impacts to existing populations shall be minimized by collecting animals from multiple locations if feasible. All proper collection permits must be obtained prior to collection and must remain valid during the project. The fish will be transported to an existing lab facility equipped for propagation and rearing fishes, where captive propagation and rearing of juveniles will occur. All collection, transfer, holding, propagation and rearing shall be done in a biosecure manner and must utilize methods that minimize mortality. All suitable propagated blotched chubs will then be transferred to the VADWR AWCC in Marion, VA to be used as host fish during captive propagation of the federally endangered Appalachian monkeyface to facilitate recovery actions. Close coordination with Rose Agbalog, Service, and Tim Lane, DWR AWCC Mussel Recovery Coordinator, must occur regularly throughout the process.

4. Deliverables and/or Delivery Schedule:

Transfer of all propagated blotched chubs to the VDWR AWCC must be coordinated prior to and occur on or before June 30, 2023. A chain of custody form and summary of the collection location, age and number of fishes transferred will be provided to VDWR AWCC and the Service. Information on holding conditions including but not limited to, water temperature, feeding methods, water chemistry (salinity, conductivity, ammonia etc.) shall also be provided to VDWR AWCC and the Service prior to transportation to fishes to VDWR AWCC to ensure the receiving facility is adequately equipped for transfer.

5. Data Management Plan (DMP) for Science Data Agency Reference. The general criteria is if the contract has a data collection component. Ideally, these requirements are flagged by the different program data stewards.

N/A

6. Government-Furnished Equipment (GFE) / Government-Furnished Information (GFI)

N/A

7. Evaluation and Acceptance

N/A

8. Quality Control/Quality Assurance:

N/A

9. Technical Coordinator:

Rose Agbalog, SVFO Biologist, 330 Cummings St. Ste. C, Abingdon, VA 24210. 276-206-0730. rose_agbalog@fws.gov.