Paul Kline

Hatcheries, Conservation, and Sustainable Fisheries—Achieving Multiple Goals: Results of the Hatchery Scientific Review Group's Columbia River Basin Review

Abstract New hatchery management strategies in the Columbia River Basin focus on conservation of naturally spawning populations as an equal priority to providing fish for harvest—a difficult halance to achieve. The Hatchery Scientific Review Group (HSRG) assessed 178 hatchery programs and 351 salmonid populations to determine how to achieve managers’ goals for conservation and sustainable fisheries. Modeling determined the best strategy, using an approach based on best available science, goal identification, scientific defensibility, and adaptive management to refocus from an aquaculture paradigm to a renewable natural resource paradigm. We concluded that hatcheries and natural populations must be managed with the same biological principles. HSRG solutions improved the conservation status of many populations (25% for steelhead trout, more than 70% for Chinook and coho salmons) while also providing increased harvest. Natural-origin steelhead trout and coho salmon spawners increased by 6,000 to 10,000; Chin...

A genetic evaluation of relatedness for broodstock management of captive, endangered Snake River sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka

The use of captive broodstocks is becoming more frequently employed as the number of species facing endangerment or extinction throughout the world increases. Efforts to rebuild the endangered Snake River sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka, population have been ongoing for over a decade, but the use of microsatellite data to develop inbreeding avoidance matrices is a more recent component to the program. This study used known genealogical relationships among sockeye salmon offspring to test four different pairwise relatedness estimators and a maximum-likelihood (M-L) relatedness estimator. The goal of this study was to develop a breeding strategy with these estimators that would minimize the loss of genetic diversity, minimize inbreeding, and determine how returning anadromous adults are incorporated into the broodstock along with full-term hatchery adults. Results of this study indicated that both the Mxy and RQG estimators had the lowest Type II error rates and the M-L and RR estimators had the lowest Type I error rates. An approach that utilizes a combination of estimators may provide the most valuable information for managers. We recommend that the M-L and RR methods be used to rank the genetic importance of returning adults and the Mxy or RQG estimators be used to determine which fish to pair for spawning. This approach provides for the best genetic management of this captive, endangered population and should be generally applicable to the genetic management of other endangered stocks with no pedigree.

Use of Random Response to Estimate Angler Noncompliance with Fishing Regulations

Abstract We assessed noncompliance with angling regulations on three Idaho waters using random response, a technique designed to quantify embarrassing or criminal behavior. We searched for associations between positive random response answers and angler regulation awareness across a number of demographic variables. Illegal use of bait and creeling of westslope cutthroat trout Oncorhynchus clarki lewisi within two catch-and-release zones ranged from –0.4 to 3.0%. Creeling of illegal-sized cutthroat trout was a more common violation (5 to 8%) in two zones managed with a minimum size regulation. Estimated noncompliance with barbless hook regulations for the same zones was high (29%), but nearly 75% of these violations were accidental. Noncompliance with harvest restrictions was greatest on Henrys Lake where 9.5% of anglers violated the two-trout creel limit each day. We observed statistically significant associations between the types of regulations and angler ability to correctly recite them on a given stre...

Proximate Composition and Fatty Acid Differences in Hatchery-Reared and Wild Snake River Sockeye Salmon Overwintering in Nursery Lakes

Abstract In the artificial propagation program for endangered Snake River sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka, a portion of the F1 progeny (produced from spawning captive parents) are retained in the hatchery through maturation and spawning; the remaining progeny are reintroduced to nursery lakes in central Idaho at several life history stages (egg, presmolt, and smolt). In this study, the proximate and fatty acid compositions of sockeye salmon from presmolt releases were analyzed both at planting and at out-migration to assess their feeding success after overwintering in nursery lakes relative to that of overwintering wild fish. Hatchery-origin presmolts did not grow significantly over the winter. However, size and length were similar between hatchery-origin fish and wild out-migrants. Average percent whole-body lipid declined significantly in hatchery-origin sockeye salmon overwinter. Hatchery-origin out-migrants also had significantly lower whole-body lipid than wild counterparts migrating from Redfish L...

Saving the Endangered Formosa Landlocked Salmon

Abstract The Taiwan Endemic Species Research Institute hosted a workshop in April 2000 to explore options for conservation of the endangered Formosa landlocked salmon (Oncorhynchus masou formosanus). At the request of the institute, two representatives of the American Fisheries Society participated in this workshop. The Formosa salmon has suffered severe range restriction in recent years due to habitat loss and pollution and is now found only in the headwaters of Chichiawan Stream. Options to assist include restoration of in-stream and riparian habitat, removal of debris check dams on the Chichiawan Stream, artificial propagation, and establishment of satellite populations in other watersheds. Institutional arrangements to facilitate conservation and an action plan for conservation were also addressed.

Putting the Red Back in Redfish Lake, 20 Years of Progress Toward Saving the Pacific Northwest's Most Endangered Salmon Population

ABSTRACTIn November 1991, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service listed Snake River Sockeye Salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) as endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act (ESA). The last known remnants of the Snake River stock return to Redfish Lake in the Sawtooth Valley in central Idaho. In the ensuing two decades since the ESA listing, many actions have been taken to conserve the population, including the initiation of a hatchery-based gene rescue program. The chief aim of this article is to describe the development and implementation of hatchery-based gene rescue activities, review present-day release strategies and associated adult returns, and describe a new effort underway to expand program production to more effectively address recolonization and local adaptation objectives. In addition, we describe achievable population triggers to allow the transition from a hatchery-based effort to a habitat-based effort that should allow natural population recovery to proceed.

A Simple Isolation Incubator for Specialized Rearing of Salmonid Eggs and First-Feeding Fry

Abstract The construction of an isolation incubator for small-scale fish culture and research is described. The simple, inexpensive (US

Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program Hatchery Element : Project Progress Report 2007 Annual Report.

5) isolation incubator is routinely used to incubate as many as 100 green eggs of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka and Chinook salmon O. tshawytscha through the first-feeding fry stage of development at the Idaho Department of Fish and Games Eagle Fish Hatchery. The incubator is small (2.5-L volume) and portable, requires a small amount of water per individual unit (500–1,200 mL/min), and provides a way to incubate multiple rearing groups in a quarantine environment through the early stages of fish development. Although these incubators have been used exclusively for incubation of salmonid eggs and fry, we expect this design can be used to successfully incubate eggs of other fish species.

Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program; Hatchery Element, 1998 Annual Progress Report.

Numbers of Snake River sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka have declined dramatically in recent years. In Idaho, only the lakes of the upper Salmon River (Sawtooth Valley) remain as potential sources of production (Figure 1). Historically, five Sawtooth Valley lakes (Redfish, Alturas, Pettit, Stanley, and Yellowbelly) supported sockeye salmon (Bjornn et al. 1968; Chapman et al. 1990). Currently, only Redfish Lake receives a remnant anadromous run. On April 2, 1990, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service (NOAA - formerly National Marine Fisheries Service) received a petition from the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes (SBT) to list Snake River sockeye salmon as endangered under the United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973. On November 20, 1991, NOAA declared Snake River sockeye salmon endangered. In 1991, the SBT, along with the Idaho Department of Fish & Game (IDFG), initiated the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Sawtooth Valley Project (Sawtooth Valley Project) with funding from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The goal of this program is to conserve genetic resources and to rebuild Snake River sockeye salmon populations in Idaho. Coordination of this effort is carried out under the guidance of the Stanley Basin Sockeye Technical Oversight Committee (SBSTOC), a team of biologists representing the agencies involved in the recovery and management of Snake River sockeye salmon. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service ESA Permit Nos. 1120, 1124, and 1481 authorize IDFG to conduct scientific research on listed Snake River sockeye salmon. Initial steps to recover the species involved the establishment of captive broodstocks at the Eagle Fish Hatchery in Idaho and at NOAA facilities in Washington State (for a review, see Flagg 1993; Johnson 1993; Flagg and McAuley 1994; Kline 1994; Johnson and Pravecek 1995; Kline and Younk 1995; Flagg et al. 1996; Johnson and Pravecek 1996; Kline and Lamansky 1997; Pravecek and Johnson 1997; Pravecek and Kline 1998; Kline and Heindel 1999; Hebdon et al. 2000; Flagg et al. 2001; Kline and Willard 2001; Frost et al. 2002; Hebdon et al. 2002; Hebdon et al. 2003; Kline et al. 2003a; Kline et al. 2003b; Willard et al. 2003a; Willard et al. 2003b; Baker et al. 2004; Baker et al. 2005; Willard et al. 2005; Baker et al. 2006; Plaster et al. 2006; Baker et al. 2007). The immediate goal of the program is to utilize captive broodstock technology to conserve the populations unique genetics. Long-term goals include increasing the number of individuals in the population to address delisting criteria and to provide sport and treaty harvest opportunity. (1) Develop captive broodstocks from Redfish Lake sockeye salmon, culture broodstocks and produce progeny for reintroduction. (2) Determine the contribution hatchery-produced sockeye salmon make toward avoiding population extinction and increasing population abundance. (3) Describe O. nerka population characteristics for Sawtooth Valley lakes in relation to carrying capacity and broodstock program reintroduction efforts. (4) Utilize genetic analysis to discern the origin of wild and broodstock sockeye salmon to provide maximum effectiveness in their utilization within the broodstock program. (5) Transfer technology through participation in the technical oversight committee process, provide written activity reports, and participate in essential program management and planning activities. Idaho Department of Fish and Games participation in the Snake River Sockeye Salmon Captive Broodstock Program includes two areas of effort: (1) sockeye salmon captive broodstock culture, and (2) sockeye salmon research and evaluations. Although objectives and tasks from both components overlap and contribute to achieving the same goals, work directly related to sockeye salmon captive broodstock research and enhancement will appear under a separate cover. Research and enhancement activities associated with Snake River sockeye salmon are permitted under NOAA permit numbers 1120, 1124, and 1481. This report details fish culture information collected between January 1 and December 31, 2007.

Reproductive Behavior and Success of Captive-Reared Chinook Salmon Spawning under Natural Conditions

On November 20, 1991, the National Marine Fisheries Service listed Snake River sockeye salmon as endangered under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. In 1991, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes, and NMFS initiated efforts to conserve and rebuild populations in Idaho. Captive broodstock program activities conducted between January 1, 1998 and December 31, 1998, are presented in this report.