** AWARDS ISSUED PRIOR TO JANUARY 20, 2025, WERE FUNDED UNDER PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATIONS AND MAY NOT REFLECT THE PRIORITIES AND POLICIES OF THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION.** THE ABILITY TO IDENTIFY THE OPTIMAL FISH FOR BREEDING (TERMED BROODSTOCK), THAT WILL RESULT IN HIGH PERFORMING OFFSPRING IS A CORNERSTONE OF ANY SUSTAINABLE AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY. THIS PROJECT SEEKS TO IDENTIFY CHARACTERISTICS IN BROODSTOCK OR THEIR OFFSPRING THAT WILL PREDICT OFFSPRING QUALITY AND FUTURE PERFORMANCE, ALLOWING FARMERS TO OPTIMIZE BROODSTOCK SELECTION, AND BETTER MANAGE THEIR STOCKS. THEREFORE, THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROJECT ARE TO 1) DEVELOP METRICS THAT WILL IDENTIFY BROODSTOCK THAT WILL HAVE A HIGH LIKELIHOOD OF PRODUCING HIGH QUALITY OFFSPRING AND 2) IDENTIFY METRICS THAT PREDICT SURVIVAL AND GROWTH OF EMBRYOS AND JUVENILES TO INFORM HATCHERY MANAGERS OF WHAT GROWTH MODELS TO PLAN FOR. THESE METRICS CAN BE USED FOR THE EVENTUAL DEVELOPMENT OF ON-SITE TOOLS FARM MANAGERS CAN USE TO IDENTIFY THE BEST FISH TO USE FOR BREEDING, AND TO PREDICT THE GROWTH PERFORMANCE OF OFFSPRING. THIS PROJECT WILL INCREASE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF BIOLOGICAL FACTORS UNDERLYING REPRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE, AND COULD IMPROVE THE ECONOMIC VIABILITY OF THE ATLANTIC SALMON AQUACULTURE INDUSTRY.