Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
MINUTES
4 PROJECT GROUP MEETING – 3. - 5. December 2012
Venue: Kevo Subarctic Research Station, Finland
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Participants: Sergey Prusov, Elena Samoylova – PINRO, Eero Niemelä, Jorma Kuusela - FGFRI, Juha-Pekka Vähä,
Mikhail Ozerov, Rogelio Diaz Fernandez, Kristiina Haapanen - UTU-Kevo, Vidar Wennevik – IMR, Bente
Christiansen (chair), Tiia Kalske (referent) - FMFI. Absent: Martin Svenning, Morten Falkegård – NINA.
1.- 2. Opening of the meeting and adoption of the agenda
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Bente Christiansen opened the meeting at c. 18 o’clock, on 3 of December. Agenda was adopted without any
changes. Last meeting minutes have been circulated and agreed upon earlier on e-mail.
3. Project work plan: status and reports on the project actions implemented in 2012
3.1 Sampling: coastal, estuary and rivers – status and numbers
Norway – coastal samples
Eero Niemelä highlighted the coastal sampling in northern Norway and the status for scale analysis and
ecological work implemented by FGFRI. Number of fishermen in 2012: Nordland – 5, Troms – 10 and Finnmark
– 38 (total: 53). Better coverage of the outermost coastal line in 2012 than in 2011 – however some challenges
with obtaining optimal spatial and temporal sampling for Tanafjord and inner parts of mid Troms County. Old
recaptures from marking studies indicates where Tana salmon is caught – seems to correspond with the very,
very preliminary assignments shown by Juha-Pekka Vähä from UTU-Kevo. Number of obtained samples in
2012; Finnmark 6699 wild + 560 (=8%) escaped salmon. Troms: 3183 salmon and Nordland: 754 salmon;
altogether 11 196 salmon. FGFRI have visited most of the fishermen in Finnmark, controlling and advising in the
sampling and also documenting the fishery. FGFRI was also active in fishing and sampling with Bugøynes
fishermen in cooperation with researchers from PINRO (one week in June). Figures for the sea age structure
and ‘migratory pattern’ for salmon caught in Finnmark were also highlighted. The noted sea lice numbers are
an absolute minimum, due to handling of the catch (nets and in the boat).
Russia – coastal samples
Sergey Prusov highlighted the sampling and numbers in Russia. PINRO staff has obtained samples from adults
from following places; Murmansk region – Kola Bay and Big Eina estuary (Barents Sea) and Chapoma tonya,
Ponoi estuary, Umba west, Chavangatonya, Koshevskaya tonya and Vazuga estuary (White sea). Archangelsk
and NAO region – Pechora estuary and S. Dvina estuary. In total 1385 samples. Ageing is in progress, FGFRI and
PINRO will also discuss the possibilities for PINRO staff to work again at Utsjoki research station in spring 2013.
Norway – baseline samples
Eero Niemelä highlights the rivers and sample numbers collected by FGFRI in 2012. The rivers (sample nr):
Sjåbuselva (50), Østre Risfjordelva (17), Storelva Berlevåg (105), Julelva Tanafjord (5), Iversfjordelva Tanafjord
(11), Risfjordelva Tanafjord (190), Tømmervikelva Laksefjord (100), Botneelva Altafjord (50) and Sandfjordelva
Hamningberg (1) – altogether 529 samples. The samples are sent to analyses at UTU-Kevo. FGFRI also collected
baseline for the special study on effects of escaped salmon into juvenile genomes) for Øystein Skaala (IMR) in
2012 – altogether 1944 fish (Neiden; 451, Vestre Jakobselv; 445, Altaelva; 421, Reisaelva; 326 and Målselva;
301).
Russia – baseline samples and archival scales
Sergey Prusov highlighted the sample numbers in Russia. PINRO has sampled following rivers for baseline;
Murmansk region – Klimkovka, Zarubikha (Kildin), Tipunkova, Vaenga, Bolshaya Tyuva (Barents Sea) and
Pulonga, Likhodeevka, Babya (White Sea). Komi Republic – Pechora tributaries Shcugor, Podcherem, Verknya
Pechora and Unya (Barents Sea). Karelia – Gridina and Keret. Archangelsk – Nyukcha, Pyshnetsa (S. Dvina tribs)
and Ema (Soyana trib). In total 1300 samples. In addition archival scales from following rivers; Archangelsk
region – Kyma (Mezen trib), Zimnyaya Zolotitsa, Mudyga, Padoma, Emtsa and Vaenga (all three S. Dvina tribs),
Megra, Soyana (Kuloy trib) and Zolotitsa. Komi – Shuchugor and Podcherem (Pechora tribs). In total 957
archival scales.
3.2. Ecology: Scales – status and numbers of analysed scales
Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
Finnmark adult scales
Eero Niemelä highlighted the number of analysed and measured scales. Scales from 2008, 2009 and 2011 are
measured for juvenile, smolt and sea face ages. After assignments growth increment data can be merged with
river/ region of origin. Scale samples from Finnmark 2012 are now in the process for digital photographing and
measurements. Escaped salmon are also easy to recognise in the scale analysis, due to their scale structure.
Norway juvenile scales – status
Eero Niemelä highlights the number of analysed juvenile scales. All 2011 material is age determined and
growth measured in 2012. Material from 2012 age determination and scale growth increments from 2472 fish
will be ready in late January 2013. All old materials (2009-2010) baseline scale material are aged and measured.
In total 57 rivers from Finnmark and 27 rivers in Troms has been sampled by the FGFRI (see annex 1). The data
will be used in a comparison study on growth patterns between the rivers. Altogether 12 039 juvenile salmon
has been sampled (7108 for KO197 and 4931 for IMR/ KO197).
3.3. Genetics: Baseline and adult salmon scales – status and analysed samples + assignments
Developing the baseline
Vidar Wennevik highlights the status for the baseline. So far 147 distinct units in the material (not rivers, see
Annex 2 for the river map). Archangelsk samples from earlier – bad quality. PINRO has/ will re-sample parts/
archival scales. Finnmark baseline is complete, Troms and Kola has good coverage. Structure of the baseline
shows three divisions; Eastern rivers (shift at Ponoi), Northern rivers (shift at North Troms) and Western rivers.
Tana and Varangerfjord bottom (Bergebyelva) also show shifts in structure. In western rivers it is harder to see
patterns. Repeat samples also confirm that both labs get the same results – reassuring. IMR will have
completed all lab analyses of baseline in the end of January. Further work: last Russian rivers to be added,
maybe to include estuary samples from adults S. Dvina and Pechora as proxy for the baseline, to evaluate
stability – add more temporal samples. Spin-offs: analyse and assign ocean samples from Barents Sea, use the
baseline for assignment of northern fish from Faroe Island and Spitsbergen samples.
Rogelio Diaz Fernandez highlights the work done in UTU-Kevo laboratory on the baseline samples delivered to
them. Almost 3000 samples analysed so far, 1440 passed in the quality control for DNA –fingerprint (37 river/
populations) – quality control still ongoing. Additional ~500 samples arrived – to be analysed spring 2013.
Adult genetics – status for analyses and prognosis
Rogelio Diaz Fernandez highlights current status for the analyses of coastal samples 2011 and 2012. Aim for
2011 was 6000 samples, 7300 are analysed (133 % of aim). 6465 good quality DNA-fingerprint (108% of aim),
5% contamination. Aim for 2012-2013 is 6000 samples – 10 660 in total now, of these 2400 salmon are
analysed (40% of aimed number). Juha-Pekka Vähä highlights that UTU Kevo has so far analysed c. 10 000 adult
scale samples (2008, 2009 and 2011) with the 31 microsatellite marker system. Some c. 1400 of 2008 samples
at IMR (those included in the pilot study) should be analysed with the additional markers – UTU-Kevo and IMR
will look at the possibilities for this.
Vidar Wennevik – the ~2000 Russian coastal samples will be analysed after the baseline samples are finished.
Technical study - SNPs and Microsatellites – accepted paper
Mikhail Ozerov highlights the technical study, SNPs vs. Microsatellites. Includes 14 pooled populations, 106
individual genotypes, c. 4000 bi-allelic SNPs, sample cost 90€/ sample. The article Cost- effective genome-wide
estimation of allele frequencies from pooled DNA in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar L.) will be published in BMC
Genomics.
Population structure and assignments using DNA pooling approach – new paper
Mikhail Ozerov highlights issues on population structure and assignments. The study contains 23 populations,
2880 SNPs – DNA pooling, 31 microsatellites - individual genotyping. Pooled vs. Individual genotyping; there is
god correspondence of genetic diversity values obtained from individual genotyping (STRs) and DNA pooling
(SNPs). Diversity and FST values are significantly correlated. Considering simulations and % of correct
assignments to the reporting groups depends of the dataset – over 95% correct assignments are achieved using
25-50 SNPs for all populations. Conclusions are that 1) pair wise selection methods for informative markers
(pair wise FST or Delta) are preferable, 2) 5-10 highly informative SNPs provide high discrimination power
among salmon populations at a large geographical scale, i.e. West/East, 3) population-based level: 100-150
highly informative SNPs are needed to achieve 95% of correct assignment within population and 4)
Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
Microsatellites assignment power is as good as of randomly selected SNPs. Plan is to submit the paper in the
end of January 2013.
Simulation study of baseline
Mikhail Ozerov highlights the work done on a baseline simulation study; contains 145 populations, 31
microsatellites, simulated fishery genotypes 100 individuals/ population in 9 reporting groups. The reporting
groups are based on geography and preliminary genetic structure of the baseline. What was observed with the
simulation power-analysis? It seems to be a gradient from east to west, either for assignment success within
rivers or within groups. Genetic differentiation was continuously decreasing along the coastline from Komi
region towards Nordland. Why do we observe this pattern? Nearly 80% of populations have relatively low
genetic differentiation. Of course there is isolation by distance, but there are gene flow (straying) occurring
more in the Barents. Same pattern was observed when individual populations were examined. Lower
assignment success for populations with lower genetic differentiation. Higher population divergence – higher
assignment success. Baseline analysis still ongoing – after lab analyses concluded - the ‘real’ work filtering and
looking at the material starts. For assignments there has to be made different baseline sets, to reduce
unwanted ‘noise’ – this takes time. For some areas the picture is clear and for other not.
Assignments (Genetic stock identification) – very preliminary results
Juha-Pekka Vähä highlights the very preliminary results of the assignments to reporting groups. The total
baseline will be finalized end of January 2013 – so the current results are on the baseline included until late
November 2012. After January when the baseline is completed the real data inspection and analysis can start,
then also the smallest possible reporting group will be decided on/ detected – it can be river for some
populations and group of rivers for others. There is a large variation in the material some populations’ stands
out – f. ex Tana and some eastern river populations. In general the diversity is higher in eastern populations
and in the Tana populations. Majority of farmed salmon assign to populations in Troms region – where
Rotsundelva particularly stands out – what is the escapee history in this area? Migratory pattern – spring 2013.
July is the peak and more Russian fish seems to be in May and June months catches. Annual variation - possible
pooling to get better geographical coverage. Possible short note to be written on the occurring hybrids/ non
salmon fish – UTU will deliver the sample numbers of these non-salmon (103) – to be checked in the scale
images.
How to weigh geography vs. genetics when defining regions, from a management perspective
Issue covered by the description of the baseline, simulations and assignments’.
3.4 Statistics, data exchange, data bases etc. and use of data after the project
Draft agreement on data use (list) after the project – discussion
List of created databases in KO197; baseline juveniles, Adult genetics, ecological databases (juvenile and adult
scale, age, weight), adult scale images and basic data, SSB catch data (bought not own), temperature data from
rivers. What data can be entered into SALSEA – no new info in this issue at this point. After KO197 has reported
on required findings the data will at some point be public – in what way the data is open for further use and
combinations in future projects – has to be agreed upon in the project (note: data source and partners, data
security and personal information laws has to be respected, material storage etc.). Vidar promised to
investigate on possible draft data use agreement – which this KO197 can mend to fit our purpose, FMFI will
draft the agreement in 2013. The group discussed: after project to always refer to the financier Kolarctic ENPI
CBC programme and others (national financiers, partners etc.). Also refer to the institute responsible for the
basic data collection and analyses (partner inputs to material and methods). Refer to data and material source
– following the general ethical science practices. Also the dialogue and information exchange to the
participating sea salmon fishermen associations has to be kept in mind and they have to have possibility to
interpret and give their comments/ views to the project findings. The agreement should also include
intellectual properties and material use (clear terms and references).
3.5 Salmon ecology and coastal management: ‘Migratory model’/ catch composition – plan for work,
climate change – plan for reports, management regimes etc.
Norway, Russia and Finland temperature data
Eero Niemelä highlights the FGFRI collected temperature data from rivers in 2011-2012. Komagelva, Skallelva,
V. Jakobselva, Vesterelva, Karpelva, Levvajohka, Kuollilasjohka, Tsarsjohka (in Tana). Sergey Prusov highlights
the PINRO collected temperature data from Tuloma and Ponoi rivers.
Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
Catch statistics - Norway
Eero Niemelä highlights the salmon catches in the study area (SSB catch data processed by FGFRI). Salmon
catch data in salmon districts in Finnmark since 1960s’. SSB data has some weaknesses – but it is the only data
available on the catches along the coast in Norway. It will be used to relate the projects data to reported
catches. This work will give the facts and bases to estimate and evaluate different salmon stocks availability in
the catches and after that give material for the construction of the modern migratory/ exploitation model.
Different regulatory measures can also be seen in the figures. Short discussion on the method on merging
ecological data with genetics (growth increment data, smolt age distributions and sea age distributions and
assignments).
Partners very much wanted to start planning the work with the model – not possible without input from NINA
(NINA is responsible for leading the activity) – this issue was postponed to early 2013 and await information
from NINA.
3.6 Results reporting – 2013 work plan: Publications and reports – work division
Escaped paper – status?
Brain storm what to write articles on – all partners are requested to list reports, and article ideas to be written.
3.7 Project administration and management – current issues
Project expenditure – tables
LP highlight the expenditures occurred in 2011 and 2012 (until Aug.) – see annex 3. Detailed information/
partner are sent to all partners.
Auditing and reporting year 2012 – deadline early 2013
All partners are requested to audit their project expenses; Finland and Russia for the year 2012, Norway for
2011-2012. Deadline for delivery to LP: partner audit reports and financial reports mid/ late February 2013.
Deadline to JMA is 31.3.2013 – if the project partners are keen on getting pre funding for 2013 before the
summer.
Revised Log Frame (request form JMA)
The project partners (LP, PINRO and FGFRI) took part in a seminar on “Best practices” arranged by JMA, in
Murmansk 30.-31.10.2012. KO197 presented HRM in a multilateral project (Human Resource Management)
issues at the seminar. JMA also is requesting the project to revise its log frame right away.
Application for use of contingency reserve
LP highlighted that if a need to use the budgeted reserve occurred - the budgeted reserve has to be applied for
in beforehand from JMA – partner needing to use the reserve has to write and sign a formal letter and send it
via LP to the JMA.
4. Issues for the Steering group – division of tasks (next SG meeting week 6, 2013)
Draft agenda was gone through.
5. Next meeting: time and place (week 6 in Kevo)
Back to back with the steering group meeting week 6 in Kevo. Project group meeting 5.-6.2.2013 and steering
group meeting 7.-8.2.
6.
Any other business
 Project PR – FGFRI has been active in disseminating information and creating visibility for the project;
assisted Kolarctic ENPI CBC programme when filming their ‘flag ship projects’ (the film can be viewed
at the link: http://www.kolarcticenpi.info/en), NASCO secretariat visit in mid August and visibility in
Finnish national and regional media was highlighted.
 Kolarctic salmon and IMR decease/ health study in 2012 – get clarity between the coincide samples –
Martin Svenning was coordinator for this – result?
 Brain storm – list of publications and reports on project material so far and coming results – on e-mail
– who feels the call to start?
 Maps showing the ordinary fishing time in 2012 – coastal fisheries is circulated to all partners by LP
Referent Tiia Kalske
Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
Annex 1. Map showing the 84 rivers sampled by FGFRI.
Annex 2. Baseline rivers analysed so far (Red dots; rivers included in November 1st BL)
Minutes - 4th Project Group Meeting - KO197
Annex 3. Tables of incurred expenses in 2011 and 2012