Environmental and genomic consequences of alternative hatchery rearing practices on Pacific Coho salmon survival and enhancement

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Sustaining Canada's natural resources and food supply for future generations is a rapidly growing challenge that requires an understanding of how populations will respond and adapt to current and future environmental stressors. Salmon produce food and recreation for the people of the Pacific Northwest and are the keystone species of coastal ecosystems and human economies within this area. Yet, salmon populations are under pressure, and we do not understand the epigenetic and genetic factors that influence their odds of survival. In particular, while hatchery programs release millions of fish yearly, it remains unclear how many of these released salmon survive and whether they contribute to increasing the wild population size. We will take advantage of a unique and growing partnership between the Nitinat River Hatchery, the Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre, and the Ditidaht and Huu-ay-aht First Nations, to test the environmental and genomic consequences of alternative hatchery salmon rearing practices and determine whether more natural rearing environments improve the survival of hatchery fish, and what genes are associated with increased ability to withstand environmental challenges like disease. The combination of engaged partners helping raise these fish under this experimental manipulation, and the genetic tools with novel integration of analyses promises to provide a powerful means to improve the management of this important resource. While many genomic studies of salmon have been performed, the ability to raise thousands of Coho salmon families used in enhancement programs under different rearing conditions, and genetically track individuals from the time they are born to when they return to the river is a unique and powerful opportunity to understand how hatchery rearing practices may impact salmon survival and the genetics of domestication. Such insight will provide important knowledge and tools to government and First Nations hatchery managers focused on improving the sustainability and cultural heritage of this iconic natural resource.