Understanding Genetics for Successful Conservation and Restoration of Resilient Chesapeake Bay Brook Trout Populations
September 28, 2021 - September 29, 2021This workshop will convened virtually on September 28-29, 2021.
Traditionally, fisheries management has focused on the abundance, distribution, and size structure of populations. Although these factors remain key aspects of management, a large and growing body of evidence highlights the importance of genetics in conserving wild populations, especially when populations are small and isolated (Frankham et al. 2017). Local adaptations are very common among fishes and help populations cope with specific conditions in their local environment (Fraser et al. 2011). The field of conservation genetics and genomics is highly technical and has advanced rapidly in recent years, offering a wealth of information to support brook trout conservation and restoration. A major impediment to successfully incorporating these advances into conservation outcomes is that most fisheries managers have only a basic understanding of fish genetics and its relevance to their management decisions.
The two-day workshop will bring experts in the field of fish and brook trout genetics together with fishery managers and practitioners to provide the latter with the both the general knowledge of fish genetics and recent scientific advances. The main objectives are to: (1) communicate the importance of genetic information for Brook Trout management and review key conservation genetics concepts and (2) explore available genetics datasets and explain how they can be used to support management.
STAC Brook trout Workshop Agenda
Workshop Speakers:
- David Kazyak, USGS
- Eric Hallerman, VT
- Lori Maloney, Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture
- Steve Faulkner, USGS
- Amy Welsh, WVU
- Jason Coombs, FWS
- Andrew Whiteley, University of Montana
- Jake Rash, North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
- Shannon White, PSU
- Meredith Bartron, FWS
- Matt Kulp, Great Smoky Mountains National Park
- Shawn Rummel, Trout Unlimited
- Mariah Meek, Michigan State University
Presentations:
- Introduction – Dave Kazyak (USGS), Eric Hallerman (VT), Lori Maloney (Eastern Brook Trout Joint Venture), Steve Faulkner (USGS)
- Major Processes that Shape Brook Trout Genetic Structure – Dave Kazyak (USGS) and Eric Hallerman (VT)
- Review of What We Know –Dave Kazyak (USGS) and Eric Hallerman (VT)
- Tools for Studying Genetics – Amy Welsh (WVU)
- Using Genetics to Identify Robust and At-Risk Populations – Jason Coombs (FWS)
- Genetic Rescue – Andrew Whiteley (University of Montana)
- Role of Genetics in Supporting Reintroductions – Dave Kazyak (USGS), Jake Rash (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission) and Shannon White (PSU)
- Environmental DNA: Utility and Application – Meredith Bartron (FWS)
- Communicating to the Public and Decision Makers – Dave Kazyak (USGS) and Jake Rash (North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission)
- Where are we and where are we going?: 10-minute ‘lightning talks’
- Local adaptation – Eric Hallerman (Virginia Tech)
- Adaptation to warming temperature – Mariah Meek (Michigan State University)
- YY Brown or Rainbow Trout for suppression of non-native trout – Andrew Whiteley (University of Montana)
For more information, please contact STAC Staff.
Workshop Recordings:
- Panel Discussion
- Lightning Talks: Where are we and where are we going?