FY 2000 proposal 199703800

Section 1. Administrative

Project location

Reasonable and Prudent Alternatives (RPAs)

Section 2. Past accomplishments

Section 3. Relationships to other projects

Section 4. Budget for Planning and Design phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Planning and Design phase

Section 5. Budget for Construction and Implementation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Construction and Implementation phase

Section 6. Budget for Operations and Maintenance phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Operations and Maintenance phase

Section 7. Budget for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Task-based budget

Outyear objectives-based budget

Outyear budgets for Monitoring and Evaluation phase

Section 8. Estimated budget summary

Itemized budget

Total estimated budget

Cost sharing

Other budget explanation

Schedule Constraints: Annual abundance in salmonid populations will determine if sufficient samples can be gene banked within the prescribed duration of the project. Sample timing must be closely coordinated with surveyors to ensure only spawned-out males are available.

Reviews and recommendations

This information was not provided on the original proposals, but was generated during the review process.

Comment:

Comments: This project describes work that seems important to at-risk stocks. Systematic sampling of gametes for cryopreservation along with detailed documentation would seem to be at a premium. The project should develop a careful sampling protocol that includes an examination of the implications of using fish from a hatchery environment. The objective of this project is to provide an additional safeguard against extinction. The strategy should be to gain representative samples of salmonid gene diversity present in the basin. Sampling should account for the fact that salmonids probably occur in metapopulations (relatively large populations comprised of sub-populations). The proposal does little to convince a reader that sampling needs have been considered in detail and within the context of the structure of these populations.

This project and the captive brood project should be part of the same program, or at least closely managed as parts of a single program. The captive brood program cannot possibly protect the genetic diversity present in the Columbia Basin, nor can it protect the structure even of the populations taken under culture for extended periods. The cryopreservation project should obtain samples that represent the populations under the captive brood program, but its primary thrust should be to obtain samples to represent all sub-populations of the basin's metapopulations. Small sub-populations are at greatest risk in the basin and they are likely a major source of gene diversity.

An argument is included in the proposal to justify determination of each fish's genotype. This level of detail is not necessary. The research team only needs to ensure that the samples collected adequately represent the gene pool of what remains of a population in their samples. This is a statistical problem; genotypes are not necessary. They propose to maintain a constant monitor on each stream to enumerate redds and establish spawning times. One strategy is to identify "spawned out males" to obtain their samples. There probably is no such thing as a "spawned out male." It may be more appropriate to set up monitoring stations downstream from spawning areas and capture males that drift through the area via nets or capture fish at existing weirs or other diversions. The genetic manipulation (selected matings) described in the proposal should be abandoned. Mating strategies should provide as close to random mating as possible.

Work to preserve embryos should be proposed as a separate project by the principal investigator actually doing the work. The proposal, which might be more appropriately directed to NIH or NSF than to BPA, should carefully outline past trials and summarize present knowledge. It should provide details of experimental methods. Such work has been going on for many years in a variety of labs without success, so the funding agency should be prepared to either fund specific experiments with completion dates or be prepared to continue the funding indefinitely.

Careful attention should be given to the budget requests. Costs in the proposal seem high and include as direct costs, some that are appropriately included as indirect costs.

Comment:

Comment:

Comment:

Comment:

The original comments still stand: "An argument is included to justify work to determine the genotype of each fish. The research team only needs to ensure that they adequately represent the gene pool of what remains of a population in their samples. This is a statistical problem; genotypes are not necessary."

The authors of this proposal intend to "manage" the project, which is in large part to take place at the University of Idaho and Washington State University. These institutions will be freezing and maintaining the sperm samples. A researcher from the University will also be funded from the project to pursue experiments directed to exploration of possibilities for preserving embryos. This project and the captive brood project should be part of the same program, or at least closely managed as parts of a single program. The captive brood program cannot possibly protect the genetic diversity present in the Columbia Basin, nor can it protect the structure even of the populations taken under culture for extended periods. The cryopreservation project should get samples to represent the populations under the captive brood program, but its primary thrust should be to obtain samples to represent all sub-populations of the basin's metapopulations. Small sub-populations are at greatest risk in the basin and they are likely a major source of gene diversity.

The genetic manipulation (selected matings) described in the proposal should be abandoned. Matings strategies should provide as close to random mating as possible.

Work to preserve embryos should be proposed as a separate project by the principal investigator actually doing the work. The proposal should carefully outline past trials and summarize present knowledge. It should provide details of experimental methods. Such work has been going on for many years without success, so the funding agency should be prepared to either fund specific experiments with completion dates or be prepared to continue the funding indefinitely.

The proposal does not present a convincing argument that the DNA genotyping is necessary to meet project goals.

The objective of this project is to provide an additional safeguard against extinction. The strategy should be to gain representative samples of salmonid gene diversity present in the basin. Sampling should account for fact that salmonids occur in metapopulations (relatively large populations comprised of sub-populations). The proposal does little to convince a reader that sampling needs have been considered in detail and within the context of the structure of these populations.

Comment:

Comment:

Description/Background: Establish a gene bank to preserve male gametes from listed steelhead and chinook salmon conservation units that are at low levels of abundance and at high risk of extirpation.

Final ISRP Evaluation: Fund in part. The original June 15th ISRP recommendation stands. Do not fund the portion to cryopreserve female genetic material as this part of the proposal is too uncertain and experimental. Work to preserve embryos should be proposed as a separate project by the principal investigator actually doing the work. The proposal should carefully outline past trials and summarize present knowledge. It should provide details of experimental methods.

Such work has been going on for many years without success, so the funding agency should be prepared to either fund specific experiments with completion dates or be prepared to continue the funding indefinitely.

Project Sponsor's Policy Response: Sponsors believe that exploring the opportunity to preserve embryos is a management or policy judgment decision. Cryopreservation of gametes has been identified as an appropriate measure under the Council's fish and wildlife program and the sponsors have been applying cryogenic technology to preserve genetic diversity from adult male salmon gametes. Sponsors believe that they are making the needed logical progression by proposing research to preserve the genetic diversity of Pacific salmon.

Council Recommendation: As recommended by the ISRP, fund the project but do not fund the work on cryopreserving female genetic material. The female genetic work funding was intended to support graduate student work at the University of Idaho. The deletion of this funding would reduce the overall budget by $22,000 and bring the total cost of this project down to $163,122.

The Council noted that there is limited work being conducted on the preservation of female gametes, and would entertain a proposal for this type of work in the future if structured as suggested by the ISRP.

Comment:

Sponsor comments: See comment at Council's website