The benefits and risks of artificial production programs to Columbia Basin salmon conservation and fisheries depend on broodstock management, hatchery fish quality, and  ecological interactions. The studies proposed under on-going project 1993-056-00 will provide empirical information on all three components to help managers improve hatchery practices. The three objectives of this project approach a common goal of developing hatchery reform strategies that minimize the genetic and developmental  divergence of hatchery Chinook and sockeye salmon from the wild state.  The scientific findings and recommendations from the project will benefit recovery efforts for ESA-listed populations and maximize contributions to Columbia Basin salmon fisheries.

Project 1993-056-00 will further hatchery reform efforts throughout the Columbia Basin through integrated research in physiology, genetics, behavior, and ecology.  The three project objectives are: 1) Maintain adaptive life history strategies in hatchery Chinook salmon; 2) Improve olfactory imprinting and reduce straying in hatchery salmon; and 3) Match wild phenotypes in Chinook and sockeye salmon reared in hatchery supplementation programs.  Experiments will be conducted both in field and laboratory settings.  Scientific results and hatchery reform recommendations will be transferred to regional managers through project annual reports, scientific publications, regular attendance at Technical Oversight Committee Meetings, and presentations at regional scientific symposia.

The project will complete analysis of previously obtained biological and genetic samples, analyze data, report scientific findings, and recommend best management practices for artificial propagation programs in the Columbia River Basin (RPAs 40 and 41).These areas of research are projected to be important components of the developing strategy for research, monitoring and evaluation for hatcheries in the Columbia River Basin. Specifically, this research will address the Management Questions:

° Can hatchery reform reduce the deleterious effects of artificial production on listed
populations, thereby contributing to a reduction in extinction risk for affected natural
populations?; and
° Can properly designed intervention programs using artificial production make a net
positive contribution to recovery of listed populations?