Terms of Reference

National Advisory Meeting

Evaluation of propagation facilities in the context of their contribution to conservation of biodiversity

March 10 -12, 2008

Ottawa, ON

Chairperson: Jake Rice

Background

The ADM - Science requested that CSAS organize and lead a review of the role that hatchery / culture facilities can play in the conservation of biodiversity, particularly of salmonids, including potential contributions and obstacles, and the feasibility of alternatives. Three questions as presented below were reviewed:

All questions fall under a main question: What is the role (if any) of hatchery facilities in conservation of biodiversity, particularly of salmonids?

1) Can live gene banking and supportive rearing conserve the genetic diversity within populations?

2) If the genetic diversity can be maintained using these approaches, what is the evidence that these lines can be reintroduced successfully as self-sustaining populations if/when the threats are removed?

3) Are there technical alternatives to hatchery facilities for conservation of genetic diversity and fitness?

A Literature Review of the scientific and technical literature was needed as a basis for addressing these Terms of Reference. This Literature Review was prepared and received a peer review in December 2007. Guidance was given for some minor revisions to that Literature Review, which in general was found to be thorough, professionally done, and balanced in treatment. That peer review meeting agreed that at a second peer review meeting, the requested revisions to the Literature Review would be checked. If the revisions were found to be acceptable, then the revised Literature Review would be a core document for the second peer review meeting. The information it contained would be augmented by additional working papers on recent work.

Workshop Objectives

The biodiversity facility review workshop scheduled for March 10-12, 2008, will focus on the following objectives:

1. Has the literature review entitled “How well do hatcheries conserve biodiversity” by Dr. Dylan Fraser been adequately revised relative to the December 2007 peer review?

2. Complete a peer review of any other working papers submitted by meeting participants

3. Using the results of 1 and 2, consider the following questions:

a) Can live gene banking and supportive rearing conserve the genetic diversity within populations?

b) If the genetic diversity can be maintained using these approaches, what is the evidence that these lines can be reintroduced successfully as self-sustaining populations if/when the threats are removed?

c) Are there technical alternatives to hatchery facilities for conservation of genetic diversity and fitness?

4. Agree on conclusions and recommendations, if any, in response to these terms of reference

Products

A CSAS Proceedings Document will be produced to summarize the workshop discussions and conclusions and a Science Advisory Report may be produced if meeting participants consider that an appropriate vehicle for communicating the results of the meeting.

Participation

Participation of Ecosystem Science from NHQ and Regions is expected. Policy and SARA Secretariat NHQ will also be expected to participate. External reviewers with proven relative expertise will be invited to attend.