These concepts are all very important to consider when making management decisions for Maine's Atlantic salmon. James Buchal (1997) makes some interesting and relevant  comments in a book written about the controversy surrounding the West coast salmon:
 

 'The Endangered Species Act allows the bureaucrats to try to protect, as
 "endangered species", populations of animals identical but for differing
 gene frequencies. Yet, as the National Research Council has explained,
 "individual local breeding populations of salmon are expected to have a
 limited time of persistence on an evolutionary time scale" because the
 salmon consist of a "metapopulation" in constant "balance between
 extinction and recolonization of local breeding populations". Trying to
 freeze one particular pattern of local breeding populations in place is
 like trying to stop the tide.'

   It is the opinion of the authors of this paper that the current "river-specific" stocking program does not take into account the metapopulation concept and is not based on the best scientific information available.  The general lack of knowledge regarding population genetics concepts within the agencies involved in salmon restoration in Maine has allowed a current policy to develop which appears to be trying to artificially create "river-specific" populations where none currently exist.  In fact, the best scientific information available suggests that these "river-specific" populations most likely never did exist, and that the metapopulation model of genetically indiscreet subpopulations is the more scientifically realistic approach to understanding the genetic structure of Maine's salmon.  We feel that continuing the current "river-specific" policies could have a severely detrimental and possibly unrecoverable impact on the genetic diversity of Maine salmon.

   Many people say that too much time is being spent debating the genetics issues in Atlantic salmon recovery.  The authors assert just the opposite is true - not enough time has been spent understanding the subject before making management decisions.  There are now  extensive policies in place that are based on false presumptions of "river-specific" genetic differences. There are hundreds of thousands of dollars being spent on "river-specific" weir projects based on the idea that there are genetic differences between river and aquaculture salmon, even though there is evidence to the contrary (Rodzen and Kindahl, in review).  There are expensive "river-specific" hatcheries that are artificially creating (through inbreeding) "river-specific" stocks for a select few rivers, while other rivers receive no supplemental stocking at all due to lack of hatchery space and "river-specific" broodstock.  Environmental groups have filed endangered species lawsuits based on the same presumed "river-specific" differences, even though Atlantic salmon clearly don't qualify for ESA protection (Rodzen and Moore, 1999) based on the current guidelines published in the Federal Register (Colligan and Nickerson, 1995).  It seems as if everything to do with Atlantic salmon recovery is based on the same presumed "river-specific" genetic differences that don't actually exist.  With all the time, money and energy that is being wasted because the agencies involved either don't understand or choose to ignore the basic concepts of population genetics, how can the genetics issues not be important?

   A fellow scientist recently commented to one of the authors that Maine Atlantic salmon are dying of "PCB" poisoning - not polychlorinated biphenyls, but rather Politically Correct Biology.  Unfortunately, there is an increasing trend in Maine and abroad for fisheries and wildlife management agencies to attempt to implement politically correct ideology under the guise of a hard science like genetics or biology.  This is truly sad, as Atlantic salmon may end up paying the ultimate price if this trend continues.  Decisions based on political ideology (i.e. supposed "conservative philosophy") and made by individuals with little or no regard to or knowledge of population genetics concepts can have a severe impact on the health of the remaining salmon and may help lead to their ultimate demise.  Only by educating ourselves will we be able to argue the points of these "pseudoscientists-in-biologist’s-clothing" in a way that will let them know we are no longer naive to their political / ideological motives.  We can no longer sit idly by while Atlantic salmon are mismanaged out of existence.

   Having more informed participants in the salmon recovery process who are able to make better scientific and more biologically intelligent decisions is likely the best hope the Atlantic salmon has in Maine.  The authors invite everyone involved in the Atlantic salmon recovery process to use our explanation of population genetics issues related to the Atlantic salmon controversy to further educate themselves before making future critical decisions concerning the recovery process.  We then request that all involved consider the potentially dire consequences of current policy, which we contend is based on politics and political ideology with little consideration given to true science and population genetics. We beseech the public and all government agencies involved in salmon restoration to have the courage to make the scientifically based changes necessary to the status quo, especially the "river-specific" stocking program, which will insure the recovery process for Maine salmon is successful.
 

Genetic Differetiation in Maine Salmon Stocks          About the Authors