A comprehensive survey on selective breeding programmes in the European aquaculture industry

• Published in: Aquaculture International
• Main Authors: CHAVANNE Hervé, JANSSEN Kasper, HOFHERR Johann, CONTINI Franca, HAFFRAY Pierrick, KOMEN Hans, NIELSEN Einar Eg, BARGELLONI Luca
• Language: English
• Published: SPRINGER 2016
• Subjects: Atlantic salmon; Turbot
• Online Access: https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC97441; http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10499-016-9985-0; https://doi.org/10.1007/s10499-016-9985-0

The use of selective breeding is still relatively limited in aquaculture species, although a growing number of companies are starting to or have already initiated one or more selection programmes. Information on such activities is sparse, hindering an overall evaluation of the effects of selective breeding. Here we report on the results of a detailed, online questionnaire sent to all major aquaculture breeding companies operating in Europe. Six major reared fish species were targeted. A total of 46 breeding programs was identified. Family-based breeding schemes were predominant, but individual selection was more frequently applied on marine species. Artificial fertilization is the preferred option of reproduction; however, mass spawning is often used as a fall-back method. The number of selected traits, headed by growth performance, has been increasing over the years, through the addition of traits such as disease resistance or product quality. The use of molecular tools is now common in all programs, mainly for pedigree traceability. An increasing number of programs implement either genomic or marker assisted selection. Results related to the seeds production market confirmed that for Atlantic salmon there are a few dominant players at the European level, with 30%-50% market share. A number of significant differences were found for the selected seeds, both with respect to species and country of production. For example salmon and turbot eggs/juveniles derive almost exclusively from selected broodstock, and some producer countries still rely solely on unselected animals or use broodstock selected in other countries. JRC.E.6 - Demography, Migration and Governance