Fri, November 23, 2018 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES BUILDING. Master's Thesis Defence by: Nathan Bendriem
Friday, November 23, 2018 at 2:00 pm
6270 University Blvd, Biological Sciences Building, Room 4223
Latecomers will not be admitted
All are welcome to attend either for the 25 minute presentation (strongly recommended) or both the presentation and defence (up to another 2 hours)
Supervisory Committee:
Supervisor:
Dr. Rashid Sumaila (Institute for Oceans and Fisheries UBC)
Committee Member:
Dr. William Cheung (Institute for Oceans and Fisheries, UBC)
Dr. Harry Nelson (Faculty of Forestry, UBC)
External Examiner:
Dr. Sumeet Gulati (Faculty of Land and Food Systems, UBC)
Abstract:
New fishery management tools based on genomic technology have been developed to address the low return of coho salmon (Onchorhynchus kistuch) originating from the Interior Fraser River. These tools are becoming vital for providing accurate estimates of exploitation and survival rates of wild and hatchery fish, to ensure proper management regulations are instated for the conservation of endangered stocks. Here, I calculate the economic value of these technologies, indicating how they may provide a more accurate and cost-effective alternative to the coded-wire tag (CWT) recovery system in place today. Similarly, genomic technologies can be used to enhance certain economically important biological traits in aquaculture production, through efficient selective breeding. Important information related to flesh quality, disease resistance, and growth rate, has been collected for coho salmon and may be applied for breeding programs in British Columbia. I measure the economic value of the genomic-based technologies, indicating how enhanced broodstock may generate a larger production of farmed coho. The research exemplified here can contribute to the future management and conservation of endangered coho populations. Furthermore, it reinforces the importance of an ecologically sustainable and economically viable aquaculture industry in British Columbia and may offer a means to meet the growing demand for seafood through increased production of coho salmon.