This research project to investigate fine-scale genetic attributes of a segregated winter steelhead program outside of the Columbia River basin was initiated in 2003 in a suite of projects to address RPA 182 in the 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion.

The project was designed to evaluate relative reproductive success of natural and segregated-hatchery steelhead in both hatchery and natural environments. The project was especially of interest because during two years early in the program (late 1990s) hatchery-origin adults were permitted to escape to spawn naturally, but a policy decision was subsequently made to intercept hatchery-origin adults. This provided a natural experiment to evaluate the fate of a pulse of hatchery contribution to natural production through time.

The project had several primary objectives: evaluate variation in reproductive success of families in the hatchery environment; evaluate effective population size and inbreeding accumulation in the hatchery environment; estimate selection on life-history traits in the hatchery and natural environment; and evaluate relative reproductive success of natural fish with different levels of segregated hatchery parents in their pedigree.

The scientists responsible for the project have completed a portion of the original project and published in peer-reviewed literature on the completed portions. Objectives to evaluate the breeding pattern, reproductive success, and effective population size in a segregated production hatchery were completed. Even with a policy and an attempt to randomize breeding in the hatchery, empirical data demonstrated that larger and earlier spawning fish were selected for breeding, there was high variance in reproductive success (demonstrating selection among hatchery families), and a low number of effective breeders.

Investigation of the loss of genetic diversity in the hatchery population, heritability of key traits of hatchery-origin individuals, and relative reproductive success in the natural environment of adults with varying levels of segregated-hatchery steelhead ancestry is partially complete.

The proposal requests support for one year to archive samples, complete a reference database, finish analysis, and report findings. The ISRP concludes that this request meets scientific review criteria. It appears to the ISRP, based on the proposal and presentation, that the hoped for analysis on relative reproductive success in a population that was re-adapting to the natural environment following a pulse of hatchery introgression is unlikely to be realized because the weir used to exclude hatchery adults has not been effective. Hatchery-origin adults, in unaccounted proportions and numbers, have been escaping to spawn naturally. This coupled with inefficient smolt and adult sampling diminishes the likelihood of addressing that objective. The project should be able to evaluate the genetic consequences for a natural population when segregation is not complete.

This research project to investigate fine-scale genetic attributes of a segregated winter steelhead program outside of the Columbia River basin was initiated in 2003 in a suite of projects to address RPA 182 in the 2000 FCRPS Biological Opinion. The project was designed to evaluate relative reproductive success of natural and segregated-hatchery steelhead in both hatchery and natural environments. The project was especially of interest because during two years early in the program (late 1990s) hatchery-origin adults were permitted to escape to spawn naturally, but a policy decision was subsequently made to intercept hatchery-origin adults. This provided a natural experiment to evaluate the fate of a pulse of hatchery contribution to natural production through time. The project had several primary objectives: evaluate variation in reproductive success of families in the hatchery environment; evaluate effective population size and inbreeding accumulation in the hatchery environment; estimate selection on life-history traits in the hatchery and natural environment; and evaluate relative reproductive success of natural fish with different levels of segregated hatchery parents in their pedigree. The scientists responsible for the project have completed a portion of the original project and published in peer-reviewed literature on the completed portions. Objectives to evaluate the breeding pattern, reproductive success, and effective population size in a segregated production hatchery were completed. Even with a policy and an attempt to randomize breeding in the hatchery, empirical data demonstrated that larger and earlier spawning fish were selected for breeding, there was high variance in reproductive success (demonstrating selection among hatchery families), and a low number of effective breeders. Investigation of the loss of genetic diversity in the hatchery population, heritability of key traits of hatchery-origin individuals, and relative reproductive success in the natural environment of adults with varying levels of segregated-hatchery steelhead ancestry is partially complete. The proposal requests support for one year to archive samples, complete a reference database, finish analysis, and report findings. The ISRP concludes that this request meets scientific review criteria. It appears to the ISRP, based on the proposal and presentation, that the hoped for analysis on relative reproductive success in a population that was re-adapting to the natural environment following a pulse of hatchery introgression is unlikely to be realized because the weir used to exclude hatchery adults has not been effective. Hatchery-origin adults, in unaccounted proportions and numbers, have been escaping to spawn naturally. This coupled with inefficient smolt and adult sampling diminishes the likelihood of addressing that objective. The project should be able to evaluate the genetic consequences for a natural population when segregation is not complete.

In many ways, this is a model project and proposal that tackles critical uncertainties with a clear design, modest budget, and a stellar publication record. The technical section of the proposal provides an excellent review of the issue of hatchery-wild fish interaction that summarizes the available and relevant literature and presents the project in context to issues of concern within the Columbia and elsewhere. Previous and positive past ISRP comments apply.

Results from the project are applicable systemwide, thus the work is recommended as fundable, highest priority. A benefit includes the fact that the project is well underway and already has two to three generations of pedigree and fitness data available for analysis. The region should take advantage of this opportunity. It will provide data much sooner than other proposals that are in planning stages.

A thorough summary of the history of this project, including bumps along the way, was provided. Monitoring efforts have improved continually and further evaluation has occurred. This is a rare opportunity to evaluate hatchery spawning effects on a wild steelhead population, and of particular significance to Washington steelhead culture and segregation projects. Continued work is justified, and most work to date is published, in press, or shall be submitted to peer-reviewed reports.

This proposal offers opportunities to monitor essentially all the genetic issues raised in regard to hatcheries. This project is out-of-basin but addresses the specific objectives on relative fitness of wild and hatchery steelhead, thus is highly relevant to the Columbia River Basin with notable strengths and applicability. Objectives are to evaluate relative reproductive success, and the proponent's publication record indicates that the information will be useful to subbasin plans with similar supplementation experiments or interests.

The proposal also describes how sponsors have reached out to other supplementation researchers to foster an ongoing dialogue. We support this and encourage its continuation. The project was compared to others in the basin (e.g., Hood, Abernathy) and outside the basin (Minter, Hamma Hamma; no mention of Keogh), and an integration of studies has begun (the proponent should provide a report of the workshops).

Project documentation would benefit by a letter from WDFW Forks Creek facility documenting their continued support of and participation in this project. No doubt they do.