Evolutionary and ecological impact of the escape of farmed salmon: policy and mitigation strategies

这项拟议的研究旨在促进加拿大水产养殖业的稳定和未来的成功，以及野生三文鱼种群的持久性和健康。大西洋鲑鱼在加拿大具有相当大的经济、社会和环境重要性。它们通过水产养殖、休闲渔业和旅游业为经济做出贡献，具有重要的文化意义，是原住民的传统食物来源。然而，养殖场鲑鱼的逃逸既是一种经济损失，也是一个环境问题。它们对野生鲑鱼种群的影响将取决于：(1)逃逸和随后的杂交(频率和数量)的存在；(2)影响生存、竞争和繁殖的特征的差异；(3)自然系统通过自然选择缓冲逃逸的能力；以及(4)我们减轻影响的能力。为了解决这些问题，我们提出了四个紧密联系的项目，将生态学研究与最先进的基因组技术结合起来。(1)我们会评估影响逃逸鲑鱼在海上的生存、扩散和行为的因素，以及对出现海笼地点的环境反应。这一构成部分还将探讨旨在加强对逃逸养殖鲑鱼的回收的缓解战略。(2)我们将量化2013年发生的一次大规模逃逸事件带来的已实现的繁殖成功，以及野生三文鱼与北美和欧洲原产养殖三文鱼杂交的潜在生存能力。(3)将进行实验室实验，比较野生三文鱼与北美和欧洲养殖三文鱼杂交后代(纯种和杂交种)的特征和行为互动。该项目还涉及对野生三文鱼和北美原产养殖三文鱼(纯种和杂交种)后代的复制实验放生。(4)利用1-3中的研究结果，我们将模拟各种逃生情景的潜在影响，并探索缓解策略。最终，我们的发现旨在为政策制定者和其他人提供关于保护和水产养殖管理战略的信息，这些战略可以促进稳定和持续的野生三文鱼种群和该行业的持续增长。

The proposed research aims to promote stability and future success of Canada's aquaculture industry and the persistence and health of wild salmon populations. Atlantic salmon are of considerable economic, social and environmental importance in Canada. They contribute to economies through aquaculture, recreational fisheries and tourism, and are of cultural significance and a traditional food source for First Nations people. Escapes of farm salmon, however, are both an economic loss and an environmental concern. Their effects on wild salmon populations will be a function of: (1) the presence of escapes and subsequent interbreeding (frequency and magnitude); (2) differences in traits that affect survival, competition and reproduction; (3) ability of natural systems to buffer against escapes through natural selection; and (4) our ability to mitigate impacts. To address these issues we propose four tightly-linked projects that couple ecological studies with state of the art genomic technologies. (1) We will assess factors affecting the marine survival, dispersal, and behaviour of escaped salmon at sea, as well as the environmental response to the presence of sea cage sites. This component will also explore mitigation strategies aimed at enhancing recovery of escaped farm salmon. (2) We will quantify the realized reproductive success resulting from a large escape event in 2013 and the potential viability of crosses of wild salmon with North American- and European-origin farm salmon. (3) Laboratory experiments will be undertaken to compare traits and behavioural interactions among offspring (pure and hybrid) from crosses of wild salmon with North American- and European-origin farm salmon. This project also involves a replicated experimental release of offspring of wild salmon and NA-origin farm salmon (pure and hybrid). (4) Using the findings from 1-3, we will model potential implications of various escape scenarios and explore mitigation strategies. Ultimately, our findings are designed to inform policy makers and others on conservation and aquaculture management strategies that can promote stable and persistent wild salmon populations and continued growth of the industry.