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ABSTRACT
Definition of breeding goals for sustainable fish production is considered, with emphasis on non-market (e.g., ethical) as well as market values. The need for long-term biologically, ecologically, and sociologically sound breeding goals is emphasized, because animal breeding determined only by short-term market forces has lead to unwanted side effects. Farmed fish is at an early stage of domestication and breeding, but rapid selection responses for growth have already been documented for several species. Reports of selection responses for fish and shellfish in both temperate and tropical environments are reviewed. Growth-rate responses of 4-20% have been obtained per generation. Broad breeding goals, including health and functional traits, in addition to production traits, are required. More basic knowledge of, e.g., animal welfare and behavioral disorders of fish is also needed.
Less than 1% of the aquaculture fish material in 1993 originated from selection programs. For most species under improvement, only one or very few programs are running, and the effective population sizes are often limited. Such populations may however easily gain sufficient advantage above non-improved populations to capture much of the market.
This will also discourage further genetic introductions into the breeding nucleus. Long-term inbreeding and loss of genetic variability because of genetic drift may then affect performance and further genetic progress. A sufficiently large and genetically diverse breeding population with appropriate family structure is therefore fundamental when establishing and running a selection program.
Important prerequisites for breeding programs for sustainable production are appropriate governmental policies and awareness of our way of thinking about aquaculture, nature and society. A more communal worldview informed by a subjective epistemology (how we learn about/ analyze nature) and a holistic ontology (belief about what/how nature is) is also required.
