Genetic consequences of interbreeding between wild and cultured Atlantic Salmon 

             A worldwide issue, that has increased from the use of farm grown salmon, is the mixture of wild and cultured salmon genes. The two separate fish have the chance to interact when the farmed salmon escape from their pens and make their way to the native salmon’s habitats. Once they reach each other, the option to reproduce is available, but would then result in a variety of genetic combinations. The mixture between the two types of salmon is considered a “hybridization.” Typically genetic diversity can be beneficial to the organisms, but not always. In this case, when the wild salmon and the farmed salmon mix the results have shown unexpected patterns within the inheritance of the genes from the parent fish. This creates field of unknown for researches. In addition to unpredicted circumstances, researchers have found that the presence of the farmed salmon in the native territories can greatly increase the chances of the wild salmon’s extinction. 
            The farmed salmon have this negative effect on the wild populations because of a few distinct reasons. First, the cultured salmon could potentially carry diseases over to the wild populations. Second, the basic addition of more than the normal environmentally supported population of salmon can decrease resources for the native fish. And lastly, when the two interbreed, the process alters the regulation of the transcription of the salmon’s genes. 
          Gene transcription is incredibly important to the survival of the salmon, both wild and farmed. Wild salmon have their own set of genes that have been through the necessary adaptations needed to survive in their natural habitats. These genetic components allow the fish to live, to protect itself from the components of the water they live in, and to internally regulate their bodies to be able to live successfully, etc. Their gene transcriptions are their directions to life, and when they are tampered with by an outsider’s genetic instructions, important information can be lost. In the end, the main goal is to do what ever is possible to contain the farmed salmon and prevent the combination of the two fish.

Source: http://fx5ly8ju5l.search.serialssolutions.com

Another source that has further information on the topic: http://www.nature.com/news/transgenic-salmon-nears-approval-1.12903