Location: National Cold Water Marine Aquaculture Center
Project Number: 8030-10600-001-000-D
Project Type: In-House Appropriated
Start Date: Oct 28, 2024
End Date: Oct 27, 2029
Objective:
Objective 1: Develop breeding strategies and improved stocks for performance in recirculating aquaculture systems and net pens.
Sub-objective 1.A: Produce Atlantic salmon using a multi-trait selection index for priority production traits.
Sub-objective 1.B: Determine the feasibility of selective breeding to reduce off-flavor in Atlantic salmon.
Objective 2: Develop strategies to reduce on-farm losses to pests and pathogens in salmon aquaculture.
Sub-objective 2.A: Develop a captive breeding program for Gulf of Maine lumpfish to provide sea lice biocontrol in net-pen-reared Atlantic salmon.
Sub-objective 2.B: Develop and improve sea lice therapeutic strategies in Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
Objective 3: Improve spawning strategies to increase reproductive efficiency in Atlantic salmon.
Objective 4: Optimize nutrient utilization and production practices in Atlantic salmon aquaculture.
Approach:
For U.S. Atlantic salmon aquaculture to be competitive, access to broodstock of North American origin, genetically improved for efficient intensive culture systems, is essential. Further, improvements to reproductive output, feed efficiency, and disease mitigation will also be necessary to expand market share and gain competitive advantage over foreign producers. The USDA-ARS National Coldwater Marine Aquaculture Center (NCWMAC) is the only federal research program supporting the U.S. cold water marine aquaculture industry including Atlantic salmon production. For nearly two decades, NCWMAC has assisted domestic Atlantic salmon farmers by developing a breeding program and providing genetically improved salmon germplasm that adheres to federal regulations for being of North American origin. This project proposes to continue and expand multi-trait selection strategies at the NCWMAC for improving cultured Atlantic salmon and further approaches for maximizing animal health and production efficiency in both ocean and land-based farms. Specifically, this project aims to (i) develop breeding strategies and improved stocks for performance in recirculating aquaculture systems and net pens, (ii) develop strategies to reduce on-farm losses to pests and pathogens, (iii) improve spawning strategies to increase reproductive efficiency, and (iv) optimize nutrient utilization and production practices in Atlantic salmon aquaculture. Integration of these research objectives will provide domestic farmers Atlantic salmon germplasm with genetically improved characteristics and tools such as vaccines, feed formulations, and other knowledge and technologies for optimizing production while maximizing environmental and economic sustainability.
