The project investigates potential genetic changes in the world’s northernmost population of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) from the Kapisillit river in Greenland. The aims are to elucidate whether geographical isolation in concert with overexploitation and habitat degradation has led to loss of genetic diversity and associated loss of evolutionary adaptive potential. By comparing genetic diversity in DNA extracted from historical scale collections from the 1950’s and contemporary samples, migration from other populations, loss of allelic diversity as well as genetically effective population sizes can be estimated. The research will contribute to setting management priorities for this unique and extremely vulnerable Atlantic salmon population.

The project is coordinated by DTU Aqua.