Genetic scientists from North America’s Center for Aquaculture Technologies (CAT) are partnering with open ocean aquaculture producer Earth Ocean Farms (EOF) in Baja Mexico to unpack the genetic unknowns of Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru) to boost the productivity and promote faster growth of this commercially valuable species.
The development of this customised breeding programme is the first of its kind for Pacific red snapper. It will assist EOF to select for specific traits in the snapper stock that show higher production yields through improved growth performance and phenotypic traits.
Elements of the selection include insights into feed conversion and product yield.
The in-house genotyping team at CAT have developed a custom panel of genetic markers to accelerate genetic improvement in red snapper, analyse performance and ensure the overall health of the stock.
“It is exciting to apply our knowledge to new species,” CAT President and CEO, John Buchanan, said. “By using a customised approach, our expert team will be able to quickly show significant improvements for EOF. Ensuring a healthy genetic diversity among EOF’s broodstock will provide future options as flexibility and continued improvement are the keys to profitability.”
According to EOF Director General, Pablo Konietzko, the future of sustainably raised red snapper is “vitally important” to take the pressure off wild-caught Pacific and Atlantic red snappers while meeting the market demand for this delicious fish.
“Implementing a family-based breeding program is a complex and challenging task, and that is why we chose to work with the expert team at the Center for Aquaculture Technologies. The CAT team not only understand fish breeding and genetics, they also carry practical aquaculture expertise. Their client-oriented approach will ensure that we will meet our company growth objectives for our mid- and long-term goals,” he said.
