Department of Fisheries Resources Management
Preserve Salmonid Gametes Project

Chinook salmon and steelhead populations in the Pacific Northwest are currently listed as threatened species under the Endangered Species Act. In 1992, the Nez Perce Tribe (NPT) in cooperation with Washington State University and the University of Idaho, established a germplasm repository that will aid in the conservation of the remaining salmonid biodiversity in the region.

The goal of this project is to preserve the genetic diversity of salmon and steelhead populations in the Columbia River basin. This is accomplished using cryopreservation technology that enables long-term storage of male gametes (sperm). Because cryopreserved sperm remains viable for hundreds of years, these samples provide insurance against future loss of salmon and steelhead populations. This germplasm can be used to increase genetic diversity, reduce inbreeding, minimize divergence of hatchery populations and aid in the recovery of extinct populations.

To date, a total of 4,316 Columbia River male salmon and steelhead gamete samples and three Kootenai River male white sturgeon gametes are preserved in the repository. In addition, the Tribe is developing a regional germplasm repository that would preserve biodiversity from all imperiled animal species.

Germplasm Request Form

Publications:
1998 Annual Report
1999 Annual Report
2000 Annual Report
2001 Annual Report
2002 Annual Report
2003 Annual Report
2004 Annual Report
2005 Annual Report