In: Salmon ISBN: 978-1-63117-570-1 Editors: Patrick T. K. Woo and Donald J. Noakes © 2014 Nova Science Publishers, Inc. Chapter 11 BIOLOGICAL INTERACTIONS BETWEEN WILD AND HATCHERY-PRODUCED PACIFIC SALMON Masahide Kaeriyama * and Yuxue Qin Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan ABSTRACT In this chapter, we review biological interactions between wild and hatchery- produced Pacific salmon. The production potential of wild salmon has declined since the 1990s due in part to habitat loss, river-channelization, and the negative effects of large- scale hatchery programs. The 1990s hatchery populations have contributed up to 50% to the total returns of chum salmon in the Pacific. Wild chum salmon occupy a higher ecological niche and adaptability than hatchery salmon in the sea despite no significant differences in reproductive success of wild and hatchery-produced salmon in the river. Hatchery programs can lead to confuse and to lose the genetic endemism of salmon populations. In Japan, chum salmon populations have received gene flow and disturbance following the transplantation of massive seed in hatcheries. We recommend the establishment of a sustainable conservation management based on the adaptive management and the precautionary principle for wild salmon. Keywords: Biological interaction, wild and hatchery-produced Pacific salmon, population density-dependent effect, genetic disturbance, seed transplantation, adaptive management, precautionary principle INTRODUCTION The structure and function of ecosystems are influenced and disturbed not only by natural factors such as climate change, but also by anthropogenic impacts such as the human-induced global warming, fisheries industry, and artificial hatchery programs. Analyses of the nitrogen * E-mail: salmon@oia.hokudai.ac.jp. The exclusive license for this PDF is limited to personal website use only. No part of this digital document may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted commercially in any form or by any means. The publisher has taken reasonable care in the preparation of this digital document, but makes no expressed or implied warranty of any kind and assumes no responsibility for any errors or omissions. No liability is assumed for incidental or consequential damages in connection with or arising out of information contained herein. This digital document is sold with the clear understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, medical or any other professional services.