21 Aquaculture Breeding
21.1 Overview
This chapter introduces aquaculture breeding with sections on salmon, trout, and shrimp.
21.2 Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you should be able to:
- Describe the unique features of aquaculture breeding
- Identify key traits for salmon, trout, and shrimp
- Explain the role of family-based selection and genomic tools
- Understand disease resistance as a major selection objective
- Recognize the importance of DNA-based parentage assignment
21.3 Aquaculture Industry Overview
Chapter Status
This chapter is currently under development.
- Fastest-growing animal protein sector globally
- Major species: Atlantic salmon, rainbow trout, tilapia, catfish, carp, shrimp
21.4 Unique Features of Aquaculture Breeding
- High fecundity: Thousands to millions of offspring per female
- External fertilization: Enables family-based selection designs
- Common environment: Families reared together with DNA-based parentage
- Rapid generation intervals: 2-4 years for most species
21.5 Salmon Breeding
21.5.1 Key Traits
- Growth: h² = 0.25-0.40
- Disease resistance: h² = 0.10-0.30
- Flesh quality: h² = 0.20-0.40
- Sexual maturation: h² = 0.30-0.50
21.6 Rainbow Trout Breeding
21.6.1 Key Traits
- Growth rate: h² = 0.30-0.50
- Disease resistance: h² = 0.10-0.40
- Flesh quality
21.7 Shrimp Breeding
21.7.1 Key Traits (Pacific White Shrimp)
- Growth: h² = 0.20-0.40
- Survival: h² = 0.10-0.25
- Disease resistance: h² = 0.05-0.20
21.7.2 Breeding Structure
- SPF (Specific Pathogen Free) lines
- Family-based selection with DNA parentage
- Genomic selection emerging
21.8 Summary
Aquaculture breeding exploits high fecundity and family structures. Disease resistance is critical in aquaculture breeding programs.