A European project, FISHBOOST, which aims to advance European aquaculture to the next level, was launched this week at the Norwegian institute, Nofima.
Nofima, along with research, industry and NGO partners from nine European countries, will address the cost benefits of implementing selective breeding in aquaculture production for six species - Atlantic salmon, common carp, European sea bass, gilthead sea bream, rainbow trout and turbot.
The launch meeting was opened by Professor Trygve Gjedrem from Nofima, who pointed out that in 2010 only 10% of world aquaculture production was based on genetically improved stock from family based breeding programmes, which he said was a shame.
“We believe we will find some answers to what it takes to increase the 10%, and guide aquaculture producers to implement selective breeding in their production”, says Anna Sonesson from Nofima, coordinator of the project.
A mixture of low and high-tech approaches will be developed, including aspects of social science, to move the breeding programmes of the six fin fish species to the next level. This step-change advance to the next level means facilitating balanced and sustainable breeding programmes covering a wide range of traits, breeding tools and technologies.
The five year comprehensive research project is funded by the European Commission through the 7th research framework programme.
