As a benefit to the public, this project will provide genetic analysis of chinook salmon populations being reintroduced into the SAN joaquin river that will enhance the overall abundance and diversity…

As a benefit to the public, this project will provide genetic analysis of chinook salmon populations being reintroduced into the SAN joaquin river that will enhance the overall abundance and diversity of the species and contribute to their recovery. IT will also provide a comprehensive genetic identification and monitoring system to evaluate outcomes of management actions and progress toward goals. Without a genetically robust and carefully managed breeding program at the salmon conservation and research facility (hatchery), there is a risk of severe negative impacts to the reintroduced populations, such as inbreeding depression, hybridization, and domestication selection. The SAN joaquin river restoration program will not be successful in achieving the restoration goal if we do not manage the genetic diversity and fitness of the reintroduced chinook salmon population. Successfully reintroducing an extirpated population of chinook salmon not only supports the restoration goal for the SAN joaquin river restoration program, but IT is also beneficial to the citizens of california, by providing future recreational opportunities and restoring what had been the largest population of spring-run chinook salmon in the state.