Genetic selection of fish for farming fitness.

I wonder if we’re near the end of genetic selection for improved production in the traditional crops and livestock. How much more milk can a cow give? How much more meat can a chicken produce in a short time frame?

This author says that only 10% of the world’s aquaculture farmers invest in genetic selection. Imagine what potential there is for this industry to boom if we were to select for stock fitter for farming.

Aquaculture
Volume 349, Number 9 (May 2012)
	Genetic improvement for the development of efficient global aquaculture: A personal opinion review
	Authors:	Trygve Gjedrem
	Author Affiliations:	no affiliations available
	Source:	Aquaculture, Volume 349, Number 9 (May 2012)
	Page Numbers:	12 – 22
	Available Full Text:	Full Text: Subscription Required to view full text Format: PDF Size: Unknown Location: Publisher’s Site Authentication: Publisher’s Site
	Abstract:	It has been exciting to follow the rapid development of aquaculture production in Norway, and internationally, since 1971. As an animal breeder I am particularly impressed with the genetic gain obtained for growth rate, and also for disease resistance in several aquatic species, which is five to six times higher than what has been achieved in terrestrial farm animals. This is illustrated in five selected projects I have been involved in. The sad story is, however, that only less than 10% of the world’s aquaculture production is based on genetically improved stocks. The big challenge for the future is to develop more selective breeding programs for existing and new emerging aquaculture species in order to increase the production of this nutritious food source and to improve the efficiency of the use of feed, water, land and labor resources.
	Citation:	Trygve Gjedrem . Genetic improvement for the development of efficient global aquaculture: A personal opinion review. Aquaculture, Volume 349, Number 9 (May 2012), pp. 12-22, <http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=432F8DCB9C444BE02064&gt;
	URL:	http://ejournals.ebsco.com/direct.asp?ArticleID=432F8DCB9C444BE02064