Sustainably and efficiently produce product
– Selectively bred salmon undergoing gill checks –
Breeding Salmon for The Future The history of selectively breeding salmon in Tasmania goes back to 2002 when Huon first mass-selected salmon that showed a natural resistance to amoebic gill disease (AGD). These broodstock were carefully selected as clear fish for AGD from a pen that had been left unbathed for a period ensuring that there was a clear difference between infected and more resistant fish. Their progeny was put to sea the following year and required 1–2 fewer baths during their lifecycle.
4
– “AGD is caused by single-celled amoeba, which are native to Tasmania, settling on salmon’s gills. If left untreated, water and oxygen flow can be restricted and may result in salmon dying from asphyxia. The treatment for amoeba is to bathe them in freshwater aboard our wellboat.” –
David Mitchell, Huon’s Freshwater Manager said that the early results were clear evidence that selective breeding for amoeba resistance had potential. “To get a second generation of brood stock, we again selected the best performing individuals which hadn’t been bathed ensuring that the AGD resistance trait was strong,” said David. “We continued with this basic mass selection until 2006 when a familybased breeding program was set up in collaboration with the other major industry players and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Advice was canvassed from overseas and Dr Dick Alderson (who had set up the Marine Harvest breeding program in Scotland) was employed to produce the original guidelines, which included incorporating safeguards to
THE HUON STORY | Huon Aquaculture | Edition Four
