• Question: do you try to maintain genetic diversity in farmed populations?

    Asked by anon-376427 on 27 Nov 2023.
    • Photo: Clemence Fraslin

      Clemence Fraslin answered on 27 Nov 2023:


      We make sure we don’t pair together fish that are highly related (as full siblings (brother and sisters) or half-siblings or even cousins). To do that usually we record the pedigree of each fish, like a family tree and we try to mate the one far from each other on the branches of the tree. We monitor the diversity looking at the genetic markers and we try to keep it as high as possible but we know it will go down with time. Sometimes we can bring new fish (from the wild or other farms) to bring more diversity .

    • Photo: Tanya Riley

      Tanya Riley answered on 27 Nov 2023:


      So the exact same way that it is maintained in land farmed populations. Males and females are selected carefully to promote healthy stock

    • Photo: Amina Moss

      Amina Moss answered on 28 Nov 2023:


      Yes, excellent question, so maintaining genetic diversity is essential in farmed populations to ensure healthier and more resilient aquatic species. It helps reduce the risk of genetic problems and increases their ability to adapt to changing environments.

    • Photo: Cristina Steliana Mihailovici

      Cristina Steliana Mihailovici answered on 30 Nov 2023:


      Health habitats and clean environment are the principal rules used for all sustainable fisheries.

    • Photo: Karen Edwards

      Karen Edwards answered on 4 Dec 2023:


      Definitely. Although it is a bit trickier with broadcast spawners such as fish than with farmed animals!

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