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these uncertainties (section 5). Meanwhile, fisheries agencies are faced 

 with the reality of having to manage these resources in the face of current 

 uncertainties. Many hatchery policies and guidelines therefore contain 

 components designed to minimize negative impacts on wild and natural 

 stocks. Given the long history of hatchery fish releases and stock transfers, 

 discussions of genetic concerns inevitably involve use of terms such as 

 hatchery stock, wild stock, natural stock, etc. Rational formulation and 

 implementation of policies addressing these concerns depend on having: 

 (a) biologically relevant and clearly stated definitions; (b) practicable 

 criteria for assignment of particular fish to each category; and (c) 

 consistent definitions among agencies impacting the same or genetically 

 interacting stocks. 



1.5 Improvement of Other Definitions 



A. Define other frequently used terms in order to clarify the 

 intent of a particular policy or guideline. 



Appendix III lists the identity and locations of these terms. 



2. GENETIC GOALS OF HATCHERY PROGRAMS 



Fisheries agencies have two basic options for maintaining or increasing 

 abundance of salmon and steelhead stocks in the Columbia River Basin. 

 First, they can manage factors that directly and indirectly affect natural 

 production. Natural production involves adults reproducing in natural 

 environments, followed by survival of their offspring until recruitment to 

 the fishery or escapement to spawning grounds. Second, they can release 

 hatchery-produced fish and manage factors influencing their survival. 

 Genetic interactions of naturally and hatchery produced fish are possible. 

 Under certain conditions, these interactions may detrimentally alter 

 genetic resources of wild or natural stocks, leading to declines in their 

 abundance and long-term persistence in natural environments. Certain 

 conditions in hatchery programs also may detrimentally alter genetic 

 resources of hatchery stocks, leading to declines of their fitness in natural 

 environments. Genetic goals are therefore an expected component of a 

 biologically sound agency document for the use of hatcheries in 

 maintaining or increasing stock abundance. 



