Phenotypic characterization of chinook salmon in the Yukon River subsistence harvest

Subsistence fishers from the villages of the lower and middle Yukon River traditionally harvest chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) that they describe as whitenose, blackhead, and blueback salmon. There is speculation that these fish represent distinct runs that may include Canadian origin fish. The run and harvest timing of these types of fish are generally predictable which implies they may be different stocks. If these fish can be identified as separate stocks, direct phenotypic identification of fish stocks could prove to be a useful management tool for the subsistence fisheries with implications to direct studies in fish biology, stock status and trends, and harvest monitoring. This project incorporated traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of the subsistence harvest with the scientific method of genetic analysis and scale pattern analysis to determine stock status. Goals of this project were to learn how Yukon fishers characterize two phenotypes of Chinook salmon and to learn through TEK specific information about each phenotype including run quality, run timing, spawning, meat quality and local uses.