Base material were collected broadly from indigenous Mediterranean sources including some from the wild population, in order to secure large genetic variation in both species. The programs are designed for performance testing of approx. 50 full- and half-sib families of each species annually, produced by artificial stripping of the male and female breeders. Genetic ties are established by repeat use of a limited number of breeders in subsequent year-classes which allows for testing of a total of 150 families per generation for each species. The programs are initially focused on improving growth rate and reducing the incidence of deformities, but the family based design allows for inclusion of any trait of economic importance as the programs develop.
The first genetically improved seed of sea bream is marketed as from September 2005 with most Greek aquaculture companies already buying stock for their own use and evaluation.
“What was particularly pleasing to see”, comments Dr. Morten Rye, “was the wide genetic variation in the original base population. This has given us the confidence that with careful selection and inbreeding control based on good science we could ensure growth rate increases in the range of 10 to 15 % per generation, while also securing parallel improvement in feed conversion”.
“The field tests of the first commercial generation against the base population has more than confirmed this original prediction from the AFGC’s quantitative genetics analysis” comments Mr. Nikos Papaioannou, the KEGO Technical Product Manager responsible for the program. "Field trials comparing the performance of the selected seed against the unselected base population over the last 18 months have confirmed growth rate improvement of around 15%. What was also very pleasing was the improved hatchability, which came with an improved growth rate. This amounts to as much as 20% improvement on the unselected stock”.
The initial demand for sea bream eggs/fry arising out of the program have been very encouraging with most of the key players in the Greek industry securing some stock for their own use in 2006. "The next target is the rest of the Easter Mediterranean, including Turkey and Cyprus, say the partners, with the sale of either eggs/fry or the leasing of parent stock, considered as their appropriate means of distribution", informs Dr.Sotiris Papasolomontos, KEGO's Technical Director.
