Brown trout population structure highly affected by multiple stocking and river diversion in a high mountain national park

TLDR: A complete shift in the genetic structure between historical and contemporary populations was revealed and a high vulnerability of natural populations to stocking with non-native fish, of particular importance for fishery management and preservation of native fish.

Abstract: Stocking is a widely applied practice for enhancement of fish populations exploited for recreational and commercial uses. In the present study, we investigate the genetic consequences of stocking and river diversion by analyzing 18 microsatellites in 440 brown trout (Salmo trutta L.) from three historical and ten contemporary populations from two river systems in a national park in Norway. Eight sources have been recorded for stocking in this area, but not concurrently. These stocking events took place after historical sampling and river diversion by construction of a barrier and a channel. A complete shift in the genetic structure between historical and contemporary populations was revealed. The genetic differentiation can be explained by stocking with just four non-native sources. The constructed barrier has helped to maintain a fraction of the historical genetic profile. Stocking success is discussed in relation to population exploitation, variation in natural recruitment, and reduced discharge due to river diversion. Our study demonstrates a high vulnerability of natural populations to stocking with non-native fish, of particular importance for fishery management and preservation of native fish.