The foundation of quantitative genetics theory was developed during the last century and facilitated many successful breeding programs for cultivated plants and t- restrial livestock. The results have been almost universally impressive, and today nearly all agricultural production utilises genetically improved seed and animals. The aquaculture industry can learn a great deal from these experiences, because the basic theory behind selective breeding is the same for all species. The ?rst published selection experiments in aquaculture started in 1920 s to improve disease resistance in ?sh, but it was not before the 1970 s that the ?rst family based breeding program was initiated for Atlantic salmon in Norway by AKVAFORSK. Unfortunately, the subsequent implementation of selective breeding on a wider scale in aquaculture has been slow, and despite the dramatic gains that have been demonstrated in a number of species, less than 10% of world aquaculture production is currently based on improved stocks. For the long-term sustainability of aquaculture production, there is an urgent need to develop and implement e- cient breeding programs for all species under commercial production. The ability for aquaculture to successfully meet the demands of an ever increasing human p- ulation, will rely on genetically improved stocks that utilise feed, water and land resources in an ef?cient way. Technological advances like genome sequences of aquaculture species, and advanced molecular methods means that there are new and exciting prospects for building on these well-established methods into the future.

Although aquaculture as a biological production system has a long history, systematic and efficient breeding programs to improve economically important traits in the farmed species have rarely been utilized until recently, except for salmonid species. This means that the majority of aquaculture production (more than 90 %) is based on genetically unimproved stocks. In farm animals the situation is vastly different: practically no terrestrial farm production is based on genetically unimproved and undomesticated populations. This difference between aquaculture and livestock production is in spite of the fact that the basic elements of breeding theory are the same for fish and shellfish as for farm animals. One possible reason for the difference is the complexity of reproductive biology in aquatic species, and special consideration needs to be taken in the design of breeding plans for these species. Since 1971 AKVAFORSK, has continuously carried out large scale breeding research projects with salmonid species, and during the latest 15 years also with a number of fresh water and marine species. Results from this work and the results from other institutions around the world have brought forward considerable knowledge, which make the development of efficient breeding programs feasible. The genetic improvement obtained in selection programs for fish and shellfish is remarkable and much higher than what has been achieved in terrestrial farm animals.

The genetic improvement of fish for aquaculture and related fisheries has seen huge advances over recent years. Building upon the previous two editions of Aquaculture and Fisheries Biotechnology: Genetic Approaches, this 3rd edition offers a presentation of traditional selective breeding, modern genetic biotechnology, genomics, gene transfer and gene editing, and the latest developments in genetic biotechnology such as epigenetics, xenogenesis and genome-wide association study coupled with commercial application, the impact of government regulation and expectations for the future. It provides a firm grounding in relevant aspects of classical genetics, before focusing on particular aspects such as sex reversal and breeding as applied in aquaculture and fisheries. It also explores how more recent molecular genetics, genomics and biotechnology techniques can be used and combined in improvement programmes for fish and aquaculture species. A glossary explains the latest terminology used in biotechnology and genetics. This book will be useful for research scientists and students in marine biotechnology, aquaculture biotechnology, and fish genetics and breeding.

Induced Fish Breeding: A Practical Guide for Hatcheries takes a successive approach to explaining the use of breeding technology with proven scientific methods. It provides real-life examples for the purpose of maximizing fish and seed production to support overall sustainability in aquaculture. It is a concise reference to understanding the latest developments in the field, useful for anyone who is involved in fisheries or hatchery management as well as researchers and students who need to understand the technology. A practice originally developed to produce quality seed in captivity, induced breeding has made great strides in fish populations for India. The book offers a practical and succinct overview—from existing methods and operations to recent trends and their impacts on aquaculture for the future. - Provides detailed information about empirical breeding practices like mixed spawning and indiscriminate hybridization - Presents the environmental and hormonal influence on maturation and spawning of fish with real-life fish breeding examples from around the world - Includes step-by-step scientific measures to help solve problems arising from common fish-farming mistakes - Provides real-life examples for the purpose of maximizing fish and seed production to support overall sustainability in aquaculture

A manual dealing primarily with the problems caused by unwanted inbreeding in cultured fish populations, describing management techniques for preventing or minimising inbreeding, and also how inbreeding can be used to improve captive populations of fish

Fish have been a major component of our diet and it has been suggested that fish/seafood consumption contributed to the development of the human brain, and this together with the acquisition of bipedalism, perhaps made us what we are. In the modern context global fish consumption is increasing. However, unlike our other staples, until a few years back the greater proportion of our fish supplies were of a hunted origin. This scenario is changing and a greater proportion of fish we consume now is of farmed origin. Aquaculture, the farming of waters, is thought to have originated in China, many millennia ago. Nevertheless, it transformed into a major food sector only since the second half of the last century, and continues to forge ahead, primarily in the developing world. China leads the global aquaculture production in volume, in the number of species that are farmed, and have contributed immensely to transforming the practices from an art to a science. This book attempts to capture some of the key elements and practices that have contributed to the success of Chinese aquaculture. The book entails contributions from over 100 leading experts in China, and provides insights into some aquaculture practices that are little known to the rest of the world. This book will be essential reading for aquaculturists, practitioners, researchers and students, and planners and developers.

Bioinformatics derives knowledge from computer analysis of biological data. In particular, genomic and transcriptomic datasets are processed, analysed and, whenever possible, associated with experimental results from various sources, to draw structural, organizational, and functional information relevant to biology. Research in bioinformatics includes method development for storage, retrieval, and analysis of the data. Bioinformatics in Aquaculture provides the most up to date reviews of next generation sequencing technologies, their applications in aquaculture, and principles and methodologies for the analysis of genomic and transcriptomic large datasets using bioinformatic methods, algorithm, and databases. The book is unique in providing guidance for the best software packages suitable for various analysis, providing detailed examples of using bioinformatic software and command lines in the context of real world experiments. This book is a vital tool for all those working in genomics, molecular biology, biochemistry and genetics related to aquaculture, and computational and biological sciences.

The conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) is critical to the future supply of fish. The State of the World’s Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is the first ever global assessment of these resources, with the scope of this first Report being limited to cultured AqGR and their wild relatives, within national jurisdiction. The Report draws on 92 reports from FAO member countries and five specially commissioned thematic background studies. The reporting countries are responsible for 96 percent of global aquaculture production. The Report sets the context with a review of the state of world’s aquaculture and fisheries and includes overviews of the uses and exchanges of AqGR, the drivers and trends impacting AqGR and the extent of ex situ and in situ conservation efforts. The Report also investigates the roles of stakeholders in AqGR and the levels of activity in research, education, training and extension, and reviews national policies and the levels of regional and international cooperation on AqGR. Finally, needs and challenges are assessed in the context of the findings from the data collected from the countries. The Report represents a snapshot of the present status of AqGR and forms a valuable technical reference document, particularly where it presents standardized key terminology and concepts.

Genomics is a rapidly growing scientific field with applications ranging from improved disease resistance to increased rate of growth. Aquaculture Genome Technologies comprehensively covers the field of genomics and its applications to the aquaculture industry. This volume looks to bridge the gap between a basic understanding of genomic technology to its practical use in the aquaculture industry.