Scottish genetics company helps deliver rapid return on breeding programme
Growth of Croatian farmer's sea bass improves by 21% in a generation after collaboration with Xelect
A Croatian fish farmer that runs a selective breeding programme with the help of Scottish genetics specialist Xelect has seen a growth improvement of 21% in sea bass from one generation to the next.
For the last seven years St Andrews-based Xelect and Mediterranean bass and bream producer Cromaris have been collaborating to develop an advanced selective breeding programme that produces faster growing fish that thrive in Cromaris’ unique conditions, Xelect said in an article on its website.
This year, the partnership has yielded record gains for both bass and bream at Cromaris’ fully integrated operation near Zadar, a city on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast.
Ideal for selection
Xelect’s breeding programmes chief Dr Marie Smedley said: “We are delighted with the progress we’re seeing in Cromaris’ broodstock programme. For example, in sea bass we have seen an improvement in growth of around 21% from one generation to the next. In seabream we have identified that nearly 70% of the variation in harvest size between individual fish is due to genetics, which makes the Cromaris population ideal for a high-return selective breeding programme.
“Running a successful advanced genetics programme is very much a team effort, and the high standards of husbandry and professionalism at Cromaris are key to delivering these kinds of gains.”
Worthwhile effort
Cromaris hatchery manager Lana Barić said: “Managing this kind of comprehensive selection programme, while preserving stable hatchery production, can be challenging at times.
“After three generations of selected fish, we are already starting to see why this huge effort is worthwhile. With this powerful instrument, Cromaris continues investing in premium products differentiation, while maintaining sustainable and socially responsible production operations.”
The company produced record sales of 10,000 tonnes of Mediterranean white fish in 2020. Along with sea bass and seabream, Cromaris began farming meagre in 2011, and both greater amberjack and Adriatic dentex in 2021.
