title: Evolutionary effects of alternative artificial propagation programs: implications for viability of endangered anadromous salmonids.
abstract: Most hatchery programs for anadromous salmonids have been initiated to increase the numbers of fish for harvest, to mitigate for habitat losses, or to increase abundance in populations at low abundance. However, the manner in which these programs are implemented can have significant impacts on the evolutionary trajectory and long-term viability of populations. In this paper, we review the potential benefits and risks of hatchery programs relative to the conservation of species listed under the US Endangered Species Act. To illustrate, we present the range of potential effects within a population as well as among populations of Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) where changes to major hatchery programs are being considered. We apply evolutionary considerations emerging from these examples to suggest broader principles for hatchery uses that are consistent with conservation goals. We conclude that because of the evolutionary risks posed by artificial propagation programs, they should not be viewed as a substitute for addressing other limiting factors that prevent achieving viability. At the population level, artificial propagation programs that are implemented as a short-term approach to avoid imminent extinction are more likely to achieve long-term population viability than approaches that rely on long-term supplementation. In addition, artificial propagation programs can have out-of-population impacts that should be considered in conservation planning.
authors.affiliation: Northwest Fisheries Science Center Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Michelle M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: McClure
authors.affiliation: University of Washington Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Fred M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Utter
authors.affiliation: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife Wenatchee, WA.
authors.forename: Casey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Baldwin
authors.affiliation: Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife La Grande, OR.
authors.forename: Richard W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Carmichael
authors.affiliation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game Boise, ID.
authors.forename: Peter F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Hassemer
authors.affiliation: US Forest Service La Grande, OR.
authors.forename: Philip J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.affiliation: Southern Utah University Cedar City, UT.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Spruell
authors.affiliation: Northwest Fisheries Science Center Seattle, WA.
authors.forename: Thomas D
authors.initials: TD
authors.lastname: Cooney
authors.affiliation: US Fish and Wildlife Service Vancouver, WA.
authors.forename: Howard A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Schaller
authors.affiliation: Idaho Department of Fish and Game Boise, ID.
authors.forename: Charles E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Petrosky
keywords: Chinook salmon; Pacific salmon; conservation; domestication; hatchery; homogenization; recovery