DNA in action: Rapid application of DNA variation to sockeye salmon fisheries management

Commitment to conservation-based management of exploited fish species imposes unprecedented requirements for adaptive, real-time management of biologically and socially complex mixed-stock fisheries such as those conducted for Pacific salmon. Stock identification is a key component of the management process, with population-specific timing and abundance information often incorporated into management decisions. By using both microsatellite and major histocompatibility complex genetic variation, we achieved highly accurate estimates of stock composition for Fraser River sockeye salmon. Over a 2-month period in 2002, we analyzed 9300 returning Fraser River sockeye salmon sampled in mixed-stock. sheries, and provided stock composition estimates to fishery managers within 9-30 h of sample delivery. Stock-specific exploitation targets governed by conservation concerns were achieved in this fishery.