As extinction risk of imperiled aquatic species continues to increase due to impacts of climate change, habitat degradation, and invasive species, the utility of restoration aquaculture will continue to expand . The propagation of aquatic species for the express purpose of recovering threatened or endangered species or restoring unlisted, imperiled populations are priority activities conducted by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) . Developing ecosystem-level benchmarks of success for these programs and continually adapting to their outcomes is critical to ensure sustained contributions to conservation .
Framework analysis-based reviews were conducted to evaluate twenty species propagation programs . For each program, the authors reviewed details associated with recovery or restoration planning; captive propagation; post-release monitoring and evaluation; and adaptive management . Secondarily, gaps in information required to evaluate each category or assess the overall conservation contribution of the program were highlighted.
To elucidate patterns in outcomes among programs, qualitative content analyses were conducted on each report based on the 15 elements described in Lorenzen et al. (2010). Passages in the Executive Summary, and Recommendations and Conclusions sections were coded into one of the 15 element categories and assigned a score of positive (existing program component), neutral (background information), or negative (identified program deficiency). The resulting scores were consolidated by species program and element category into an aggregate matrix to represent overall programmatic status. This analysis showed that propagation programs for recovery of ESA listed species tend to have robust data associated with recovery planning and post-release monitoring and evaluation, while many restoration programs lack the requisite authority structure to ensure consistent application of these activities. A strength of many of the propagation programs that were evaluated is Service leadership related to implementation of genetic principles in broodstock management and population monitoring.
The trends identified in this synthesis can be used to reform existing conservation aquaculture programs to ensure alignment with species recovery and restoration goals . Also, as more species require captive propagation, programmatic development will be strengthened through consideration of these priority propagation framework analyses and this synthesis.