Country : India
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Salmonid Hatchery Research – Overview and discussion of benefits and potential negative side effects on wild salmonid population in B.C.

The Canadian Salmonid Enhancement Program (SEP) established in 1979 was created to support wild salmon populations and enhance spawning channels. In British Columbia 10, 000 spawning populations have been identified, with stock size ranging from a few fish to several million. There are 23 hatcheries spread across British Columbia, that release a combined 400 million juvenile salmonid. Hatcheries claim to conserve vulnerable salmon stock and provide increased fishing opportunities for recreational, commercial, and indigenous user groups. As well, hatchery released salmon are said to support annual stock assessments.
Wild coho salmon typically lay on average 2500 eggs. In the wild approximately only 15% of these fertilized eggs survive to hatch in alevin. Rivers and streams are a dynamic environment, and salmon in the early stages of development are subject to numerous factors that greatly reduce their chance of survival. Fish hatcheries eliminate these early life stage threats and can increase the number of salmon that survive the early life stages. Once released into the wild however, hatchery smolts are exposed to the same environmental conditions as wild salmon. The tables below compare salmon survival rates in a wild setting to those reared in a hatchery.

Table 1. Wild coho salmon survival
Stage of Development Number Deaths Number of Survivors Causes of death
Eggs/Alevin 2500 2125 375 Unfertilized eggs, gravel movement, low oxygen, water temperatures, pollution, sedimentation, disease, predation
Fry 375 245 30 Poor water quality, pollution, sedimentation, disease, predation, overall poor freshwater habitat conditions
Smolts 30 25.5 4.5 Predators, disease, other environmental factors
Adults 4.5 2.5 2.0 Harvesting, disease, other environmental factors
Spawners 2 2 0 Water levels, predators, obstructions, disease, death after spawning

Table 2. Hatchery coho salmon survival
Stage of Development Number Deaths Number of Survivors Causes of death
Eggs/Alevin 2,500 250 2,250 Unfertilized eggs, failure of hatchery systems, disease
Fry 2,250 450 1,689 Disease, predators (otters, minks, birds)
Smolts 1,689 1,530 253 Predators, disease, other environmental factors
Adults 253 162 111 Harvesting, predators, disease, other environmental factors
Spawners 111 111 0 Water levels, predators, obstructions, disease, death after spawning

Research and Discussion – Project Outline
Pick one out of the 23 salmonid hatcheries located in British Columbia:
Research and summarize the history and overall management – location of hatchery and associated spawning channel, establishment of the hatchery, which species and stock of salmon they enhance, the general operation of the hatchery – how does it work – from brood stock collection to release of smolts, successes and any issues for this hatchery

Benefits of hatcheries – Why have them?
Although salmonid hatcheries can increase survival rates in the early life stages and clearly provide a benefit to dwindling populations, especially in small stocks, there are concerns that hatchery released salmon are affecting the survival rate and successful spawning of wild produced salmon stocks. Scientists are increasingly “concerned with the ecological/genetic interactions between hatchery born and wild born salmonid.” (Loew, seafoodsource.com) Basically, researchers are stating that hatchery fish are reducing the genetic fitness of wild salmon stock.
Research and discuss the negative impacts that hatcheries may be having on wild salmonids. Is there a difference between small scale and large-scale hatcheries? Brood stock collection? (Hatchery spawners or wild spawners?) General hatchery management?

Moving forward – This summer the federal government announced a substantial amount of new funding for the Pacific salmon strategy. These funds would build new hatcheries, but also increase conservation measures, habitat enhancement and transform harvesting management.

What do you think? Discuss the concerns user groups have over how this money will be spent over 5 years. Research and summarize why enhancement through hatchery management is not the only answer to conserving and increasing diminishing salmon populations. The life cycle of salmon is very complex and includes the freshwater, marine and forest ecosystems, all of which experience extreme natural and human induced pressures to their proper functioning. As well, the management of salmon harvesting in general is a hot, controversial topic. Discuss other factors that are important to consider when managing salmon populations.

 

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  • Posted on : December 23rd, 2019

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