This proposal outlines a project from the Fish & Wildlife Program Accords that addresses the use of genetic markers to evaluate population structure of white sturgeon in the lower Columbia River and upstream of Bonneville Dam.  The specific objectives are to 1) evaluate population differentiation and migration (gene flow) among reservoirs, 2) determine relatedness, mean productivity, and number of spawners within each reservoir, and 3) characterize broodstock including identifying origins (reservoir or population) and degree of relatedness among candidate broodstock fish for use in a potential  restoration and enhancement facility.  These three objectives address needs for determining genetic diversity, relative broodstock abundance, distribution and movement, and supplementation efforts.  A panel of microsatellite (uSAT) loci have been compiled and optimized with a locus scoring protocol adopted from researchers at the University of California at Davis (UCD; Andrea Drauch pers. comm.) for collection of standardized multilocus genotypic data.  The protocol provides the opportunity for future collaboration and complementary efforts among interested research groups.  Beginning with the currently proposed long-term monitoring effort, establishing a data repository will allow implementation of future pedigree studies for monitoring survival of hatchery releases, and ultimately for estimating natural reproductive success of both wild and released hatchery reared sturgeon.  The work related to these objectives will be completed by CRITFC and University of Idaho (UI) staff at the Hagerman Fish Culture Experiment Station.  Tissue samples will be collected by staff from CRITFC, WDFW, and ODFW.  Genotyping and genetic analysis will be completed by CRITFC and UI staff in Hagerman, ID.  Geneticists with CRITFC have adequate expertise to complete each objective as evidenced in published peer-reviewed papers (e.g. Matala et al. 2008, Narum et al. 2007, Narum et al. 2008).

For FY18, NPCC has approved a specific task to develop and analyze a genetic marker for sex determination in white sturgeon. This is reflected in WE D.