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There is little consistency in stock definitions found in FWS-2, IDFG-1, and 

 ODFW-1. Different conditions for breeding history have been used to 

 distinguish between hatchery stocks, wild stocks, or natural stocks. Note, 

 for example, the differences under the heading, hatchery stocks, in 

 Appendix II. For FWS, a stock fits under this heading only if fish have 

 been held and fed in a hatchery for more than two generations. A 

 contrasting approach is taken by ODFW, which places fish under this 

 heading if they are spawned and/or reared under artificial conditions 

 regardless of the history of the parent stock. The IDFG definition rpost 

 resembles that of ODFW by simply stating that hatchery fish are produced 

 in hatcheries or other artificial facilities; however the issue of parental 

 history is not explicitly addressed. Similar differences exist in definitions 

 fitting under the heading, wild stocks. FWS-2 doesn't recognize an 

 intermediate category of natural stocks while ODFW-1 and IDFG-1 have 

 similar definitions. ODFW-1 is the only document that defines the 

 category, transplanted stocks. 



Definitions for categories of stocks are not included in any WDF and WDW 

 documents reviewed. Appendix III summarizes the identity and location 

 of undefined stock terms. None of the documents reviewed give criteria 

 for data to use in assigning a particular fish or stock to a category. 



1.4 Improvement of Stock Definitions 



A. Append biologically sound definitions and practicable 

 assignment criteria for stock categories to all written 

 policies and guidelines on salmon and steelhead hatchery 

 production in the Columbia Basin. 



B. Develop consistent definitions and assignment criteria for 

 agencies whose actions impact the same or genetically 

 interacting stocks. 



Genetic concerns about hatchery stocks are that they may: (a) lose genetic 

 variation and develop different gene combinations and life history 

 patterns compared to wild or natural stocks; and (b) reduce fitness and 

 long-term perpetuation of wild and natural stocks with which they may 

 genetically interact. Much uncertainty exists about the hatchery 

 conditions, natural environmental conditions, and ancestral breeding 

 histories under which these concerns are legitimate or unwarranted 

 (AUendorf et al. 1990, Kelly et al 1990, Skaala et al. 1990). Properly 

 designed and long-term monitoring studies would help remove some of 



