BPA genetic monitoring - BPA Genetic Monitoring of Snake River Chinook Salmon and Steelhead

This is a long-term (30-year) NWFSC Genetics and Evolution Program study to monitor the genetic characteristics and population dynamics of hatchery- and natural-origin Chinook salmon and steelhead in the Snake River Basin, which are both species listed as threatened under the US Endangered Species Act. Genetic tools are used to determine if naturally spawning hatchery fish are influencing the adaptive potential and viability of wild fish in the basin. This work involves long-term annual field work to collect DNA from threatened Chinook salmon and steelhead at numerous locations throughout the Snake and Salmon River Basin and analyze the genetic signatures from the collections in the context of a long-term historical baseline of hatchery production and natural variation in wild salmonid production there.
Initiated in 1989, this study monitors genetic changes associated with hatchery propagation in multiple Snake River sub-basins for Chinook salmon and steelhead. We also derive estimates of reproductive success for individual families and groups of fish. The information obtained from this study directly addresses a critical knowledge gap identified by comanagers, which is: under what conditions does hatchery supplementation provide a sustained contribution to natural production? Co-managers are ODFW, CTUIR, NPT, WDFW, IDFG, and SBT. This type of monitoring work is now an essential part of hatchery reform and the goal of using widespread hatchery propagation in recovery of natural populations.