Genetic Analysis of Oncorhynchus nerka in Washington State

Kokanee and sockeye populations have been analyzed from around Washington State to characterize the genetic relationship of anadromous and resident populations of O.nerka.  Individual studies have been conducted on regional collections in Washington; however a comprehensive assessment has not been completed statewide.  We standardized data for populations of kokanee and sockeye from the Olympic Peninsula, Puget Sound, Columbia River, and Lake Roosevelt.  In some cases, we have found genetic differences between sockeye and kokanee populations while in other cases populations of sockeye and kokanee did not differentiate from each other.  The genetic affinities of kokanee populations from small lakes or impoundments was not necessarily predictable, as we observed kokanee to be  both  genetically similar to anadromous sockeye or represent genetically unique populations depending on the region surveyed.  This statewide evaluation of O. nerka will allow us to conduct analyses to provide better understanding of the genetic relationships among populations in WA State and be used as a resource for management actions dealing with population recovery and broodstock selection.