Unifying Biological Data Acquisition Via Genetic Information

Basic biological data (abundance, recruitment) is often inadequate and/or underutilized for salmon populations.  Genetic methods offer an alternative means of collecting population information that is accurate and more content rich than is currently available.  Linking adult and juvenile data streams using genetics will provide a more solid foundation for effective population recovery and fishery management actions.  This presentation describes the methods that underlie the genetics-based abundance estimators and presents an application of those methods in Washington State for fall-run Chinook.