Genetic stock identification of immature chum salmon captured during the 2002 Bering-Aleutian Salmon International Survey (BASIS) survey aboard the F/V Northwest Explorer.

Genetic Stock Identification (GSI) provides research information required in regional, national, and international agreements and treaties on the management of marine resources including Pacific salmon, groundfish, and forage fish species. Legislation mandating this research includes the Pacific Salmon Treaty, the North Pacific Anadromous Stocks Act, and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. Products of GSI include peer reviewed manuscripts, technical reports, briefings, and software programs for estimating stock composition. Program activities are designed to improve our understanding of the ocean ecology through stock assessments, identification of stocks to region or country of origin, determination of population and stock utilization of ocean rearing areas, and assessment of fishery interceptions. Information provided is used by:

• NMFS management and enforcement,
• U.S. Department of State,
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game,
• North Pacific Fishery Management Council,
• Pacific Salmon Commission,
• North Pacific Anadromous Fish Commission (NPAFC),
• and other international commissions.

Geneticist analyzing microsatellite data.

The Genetics Laboratory is a major component of GSI and uses current DNA technology to develop genetic markers for various stock identification projects of Pacific salmon such as determining the stock origins of the salmon bycatch in the Bering Sea groundfish fishery and in interception fisheries in southeast Alaska waters. This technology is also being used to investigate the genetic stock structure of marine forage fish species such as capelin, eulachon, and sandlance. These keystone species in Alaskan ecosystems are usually managed as large homogeneous populations due to the lack of knowledge about their genetic population structure. This program addresses research needs outlined in the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Groundfish Fishery Management Plans for the Gulf of Alaska (GOA) and Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands (BSAI). DNA markers are also used to identify juvenile rockfish species collected in the Gulf of Alaska and Bering Sea to study their ocean distribution and ecology.

For further information please contact:
Jeff Guyon: Jeff.Guyon@noaa.gov