An Evaluation of Extinction-Risk Criteria for Pacific Salmon Conservation Units

The objective of this research project is to improve the definition of extinction-risk for Pacific salmon species by determining which extinction-risk criteria best reflect the chance of quasi-extinction (extremely low abundance) for the individual conservation units (CUs), which are spatially-defined management units. Two sets of evaluation criteria will be used; those developed for Canadian biota by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and another set developed by the intern. For each extinction-risk criterion, a retrospective analysis will examine the historical spawner (reproducing adult) escapement data to determine the number of triggering events (extinction-risk criteria met) that would have occurred in the past of each salmon CU. A prospective analysis will develop a computer simulation model to determine the probability of quasi-extinction for several populations of conservation concern.

Faculty Supervisor:

Dr. Randall Peterman

Student:

Erin Porszt

Partner:

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Discipline:

Environmental sciences

Sector:

Fisheries and wildlife

University:

Simon Fraser University