10 - Improving farmed fish quality by selective breeding

Abstract

Publisher Summary In aquaculture production, it is possible to influence product quality in a number of different ways, whereas in capture fisheries, the product quality is determined by what is caught at any given time. The demand for a higher quality of farmed fish is increasing and therefore, quality traits should be included in breeding goals, particularly in large-scale breeding programs. To make changes or to improve quality traits through selective breeding, information on multiple parameters or characteristics for each trait is required. In addition to calculating trait averages and standard deviations, the heritability for each trait, and the phenotypic and genetic correlations between the traits in question must be known. A candidate trait for selection must be precisely defined and the trait measurement should show a high degree of repeatability. Traits of highest economic importance should be selected since increasing the number of traits included in the breeding goal is expected to result in a reduced rate of gain for each individual trait. In a selection program, all traits in the breeding goal should be included in the selection index and each trait should be weighted according to genetic correlations and economic weights.