Many Chinook salmon in the Kuskokwim River are harvested using “large mesh” (8 inches or larger) gillnets that preferentially capture older and larger fish. There is interest in determining if this selective fishery has a population-level impact on traits such as adult size and age. In order to fully evaluate this issue realistic estimates of trait heritability are needed. This selective fishery may also indirectly influence abundance if reproductive success (number of adult progeny) is greater for larger fish. In order to evaluate this issue estimates of family size for a sample of parents of known length are needed. In this study we examine both issues in Chinook salmon from the Tuluksak River. Our objectives are to 1) estimate the heritability of adult size, growth rate, and age and the genetic covariance among these traits, in males and females, and 2) determine if family size is related to size of adult parent. We will use recently developed pedigree reconstruction methods to identify full-sib and half-sib groups from the 2003 cohort (adults born in 2003). These groups will be used to estimate heritability and evaluate family size. The results of this study will provide salmon fishers and fishery managers a better understanding of the possible impacts of a size selective harvest on Chinook salmon.
Jeff Hard
jeff_hard@noaa.gov
NOAA Fisheries, NW Fisheries Science Ctr
206-860-3275
2725 Montlake Blvd East
Seattle
WA
98112
Ken Harper
ken_harper@fws.gov
US Fish and Wildlife Service
907-262-9863
PO Box 1670
Kenai
AK
99611
Jeff Olsen
jeffrey_olsen@fws.gov
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
907-786-3598
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
1011 East Tudor Road
Anchorage
AK
99503
John Wenburg
john_wenburg@fws.gov
USFWS Conservation Genetics Lab
907-786-3858
1011 E. Tudor Rd.
Anchorage
AK
99503
A Project Authorization Statement is available for this project: Click to view First Year Funding: $80,447.00
Funding
Second Year Funding: $71,907.00
Third Year Funding: $71,907.00
Fourth Year Funding: $0.00
Keyword Tree for Project
Fields of Expertise
Biological Science
Ecology - 17 Other Projects
Evolution - 5 Other Projects
Genetics - 9 Other Projects
Physical Science
Socio/Economic
Professional Activity
Field research and Data Collection - 37 Other Projects
Ecosystems
Freshwater – Rivers/Streams - 45 Other Projects
Ecosystem Components
Fish - 51 Other Projects
Species Groups
Anadromous salmonids - 51 Other Projects
Chinook - 22 Other Projects
Specific research issues
Aging techniques - 4 Other Projects
Genetics and stock identification - 13 Other Projects
Geographic Regions
Kuskokwim River Watershed - 22 Other Projects
Technological Expertise/Lab Methods
Lab Methods
Genetic analysis - 11 Other Projects
Technology
Modeling
Method
Type
Physical Science Specialties Areas
Management/Policy/Social
Fishing gear performance - 2 Other Projects
Harvest strategies - 7 Other Projects