heres a start


http://www.cbfwa.org/files/awp00/projects/20045.htm


Abstract
A serious concern in regional salmon and steelhead management programs is that hatchery rearing may select genetically for fish with reduced viability in the wild. It is important to understand the types of genetic and behavioral changes that may be occurring during the domestication process. We propose to investigate domestication-related genetic and behavioral changes using controlled crosses of strains of chinook salmon and steelhead trout with varying degrees of hatchery ancestry. A genetic map of microsatellite markers will be developed for chinook salmon and this map, together with an already-developed map for steelhead, will be used in crosses that test for DNA markers associated with the ability of chinook salmon and steelhead trout to survive in hatchery or wild environments. We will also measure the level of selection occurring in populations of chinook salmon and steelhead trout in hatchery and wild environments by measuring the levels of fluctuating asymmetry of the same populations reared in these environments. Behavior patterns and physiological responses to acute and sudden environmental stressors of wild and hatchery strains of both species which have been raised in a common environment from the egg stage will be characterized. On completion of this study, we will have initiated the characterization of the types of genetic changes associated with domestication in chinook salmon and steelhead trout, and will have identified standard behavioral and physiological tests that can be used to monitor levels of domestication in these species.

Continue with Sections 8-10 (narrative), by reading full proposal in Word or Acrobat PDF format

Reviews and other data
This information was not provided on the original proposal, but was generated during the review processes. CBFWA submitted recommendations to the Independent Scientific Review Panel (ISRP) and Northwest Power Planning Council (NWPPC) in its 2000 Draft Annual Implementation Workplan dated August 20, 1999. The NWPPC used the CBFWA and ISRP recommendations to submit final recommendations to BPA in its 2000 Annual Implementation Workplan dated March 20, 2000.

Focus: Anadromous Fish
Subbasin: Systemwide

CBFWA NWPPC
Recommendation: Tier 3 (do not fund)

SRT review comments
Sounds like pure theoretical research. Unclear what the application is for the recovery of listed species.
Recommendation: 02-02-00 (Eligible for $200,000 as one-time grant for Innovative Research Project)

Recommended funding level:
$199,996

ISRP Comments
Fund, OK for a multi-year review cycle, review in FY2002 for results to date. Comments: Rationale. There is evidence that hatcheries domesticate salmon, which is manifested in changed behavior and physiology. A consequence of domestication expected is that offspring of wild salmon and hatchery products will be less fit in the wild because they will have inherited maladaptive traits from less fit hatchery parents. This project proposes to develop readily observed indices of domestication, which are behavioral assay, cortisol assay, and fluctuating asymmetry. These indices would serve resource managers as a means of evaluating specific stocks. They propose to use QTL techniques to map these domestication traits on the genome of steelhead and chinook. They'll develop a microsatellite map for chinooks similar to the one Thorgaard has for rainbow; entails producing inbred androgens, which Thorgaard has done for rainbows. They'll develop behavior and physiological and meristic (FA) stress indicators that hypothetically relate to domestication selection. They will test for associations between traits and genetic map. It is not explicitly claimed, but the ambition seems to be to be able to assess the 'domestication' of a group of salmon by assessing the frequencies of QTL's known to be associated with domestication traits. The method entails working with pairs of chinook and steelhead stocks, each pair containing domesticated and wild. A product useful to the FWP will be "standard behavioral tests that can be used to monitor levels of domestication" of those species; it is not clear how the information would be used in future hatchery management. (One reviewer suggests that behavioral work be conducted in running water rather than static conditions.) The proposers are eminent in their respective disciplines and provide considerable evidence of peer-reviewed publications of their work. This is highly innovative science. The ISRP strongly endorsed this project and recommends it for funding.