Genotyping by sequencing (GBS) is a type of DNA sequencing technology that allows the genotype of an individual to be determined by direct DNA sequencing. This direct method of genotyping individuals has radically changed the techniques used to genotype individual fish in stock identification applications. The benefits of this technique are that several hundred markers per individual can be routinely screened for genotyping, and at a cost equivalent to or lower than that currently prevailing in stock identification applications. Screening more markers provides increased resolution for stock identification applications.
The project proposes to estimate stock composition in mixed-stock fishery samples from commercial and recreational Coho Salmon fisheries in northern and central coastal British Columbia with the new SNP baseline and will use a combination of both parentage-based tagging (PBT) and genetic stock identification (GSI) to estimate stock compositions. Fisheries to be targeted include the commercial ice boat and freezer troller fishery off Haida Gwaii, as well as the recreational fishery off Langara. In addition, the recent demonstration troll fishery in the central coast of BC will be sampled, as well as the recreational fishery in the central coast. The project would entail genotyping of 4,000 Coho Salmon sampled from mixed-stock fisheries in the different areas. The estimated contribution of each of the 39 Coho Salmon Conservation Units (CUs) defined for British Columbia south of the Taku River (baseline also includes Alsek CU) will be estimated for each fishery stratum sampled, as well as regional estimates for Coho Salmon originating from southeast Alaska, Washington, the Columbia River, and Oregon.