Optimization and field testing of a molecular test for seawater adaptability in Chinook Salmon.

Chinook salmon are anadromous fish, with juveniles spending 1-2 years in freshwater before migrating to sea to mature for 2-5 years and returning to freshwater to spawn and die. ‘Smoltification’ is the physiological, morphological, and behavioural transition of freshwater stream-dwelling ‘parr’ to downstream migrating ‘smolts’ and, eventually, saltwater marine ‘post-smolts’. If the salmon do not complete the smoltification process or spend prolonged time in freshwater, the introduction to saltwater results in reduced growth, impaired health, immediate or prolonged death, and the potential for maladjusted fish to become vectors for disease. The goal of this project is to validate and incorporate a molecular genetic test for smoltification for Chinook salmon hatchery production in BC. This work will provide BC Chinook salmon production companies and salmon enhancement programs a straight-forward molecular method to measure smoltification via gene expression and determine the adaptive ability for smoltification in a population of fish.

Faculty Supervisor:

Spencer Russell;John S Lumsden

Student:

Partner:

Creative Salmon Co. Ltd;BC Centre for Aquatic Health Sciences

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture

University:

Vancouver Island University

Program: