ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the treatment of the relevant issues and concepts involved in designing and implementing a statewide biological monitoring and biological criteria program using fish assemblages. A multiple indicators approach that utilizes each indicator according to its most appropriate role will lead to more effective regulation of pollution sources, improved assessment of diffuse and nonchemical impacts, and improve the ability to implement management strategies for successfully protecting and restoring the ecological integrity of watersheds. The capability of fish assemblages to accurately reflect environmental quality lies in their integration of the different factors that determine the integrity of a water resource. The inclusion of biological indicators, which includes fish assemblages in many states, seems essential if one is to more fully protect and restore degraded water resources. Biological criteria based on fish assemblages aid greatly in the visualization of aquatic resource goals, values, and attributes.
