Steelhead (anadromous O. mykiss) with a 2n number of 64? Excuse me while I call BS. There are stocks of O. mykiss with different 2n numbers, but not with demonstrated anadromy in the NW.

As for "functional" differences in allozyme markers, you should know as well as I that these also are neutral markers that convey no selective advantage or disadvantage to the organism, indeed a "functioning" equivalent to an SNP. The point though I made earlier with allozymes is that even then, if you go back to the work of the "FREDS", there are "coastal" ans "inland" populations. NO MORE, NO LESS. Same as the chromosome data.

A human example. If I look at the genetic similarity within my own house, and compare it to that of the rest of the neighborhood, I find a unique population. Do I want to maintain the health of that population over the long term without migration? Absolutely not! That's the level I believe we've gotten with identifying subgroups on some of these populations in order to get them listed.

Am I willing to bet our fisheries future on hatcheries? If I look at an example (albeit extreme) of the sockeye populations in Redfish Lake, and the countless millions of dollars we're spending of yours and my money to keep a captive brood going from an effective population size of less than 30, I think its wrong. I served on the initial recovey team and suggested that representative samples from similar sockeye populations (long migration, etc) be taken, stocked, and let the fish sort it out since drift had obviously altered the population genetic makeup beyond repair. I was never asked back? WHY? IMO, its because there is equal hunger for power that a listing gives. Yeessss, there's the reality. Antidevelopment forces have obviously misused ESA listings in this country for power grabs as much as industry. SAME OLD STORY. Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Bottom line for me, and many other scientists: each situation is unique and must be thoroughly examined on its own merits. Sometimes a "leave it alone" approach will be called for, sometimes a captive brood approach, sometimes a captured brood approach (note the difference), and sometimes a use of hatcheries to support a fishery.

The answer is always somewhere towards the middle.