Cermaq recruits Scots genetics specialists
In a bid to improve a range of carcass traits, such as muscle fibre density, for its salmon stock Cermaq Canada has signed a licence and genetic services agreement with Xelect Ltd.
Dr Tom Ashton, co-founder and Operations Director of the St Andrews-based genetics firm, explains to Fish Farming Expert: “The agreement gives Cermaq Canada an annual licence to our current and future proprietary genetic marker technology for selecting fish with superior production traits such as growth and flesh quality”.
“Xelect markers for Atlantic salmon are currently under evaluation with Marine Harvest and Hendrix Genetics, and this agreement is a great way for Cermaq’s breeding programme – which has already conducted initial screening trials – to get a head start in the implementation of the technology,” he adds.
The genetic markers will allow Cermaq Canada even greater ability to select the elite performing fish from their potential broodstock, while maintaining genetic diversity and keeping inbreeding to a minimum.
Steve Fukui, Broodstock Manager at Cermaq Canada, said: “We are excited to be working with Xelect and seeing the benefits of the marker assisted selection and look forward to a long working relationship.”
Rapid growth
Xelect has a strong research and development pipeline with a focus of the development of parasite and disease resistant strains to reduce mortality.
Deals such as this have enabled Xelect, a spin-out from St Andrews University, to post solid revenue growth since becoming a limited company in 2012.
"We have ambitious expansion plans. Work on our new premises in the centre of St Andrews is due to be completed shortly," says Tom, "and we're currently in the process of expanding of research and support team with additional appointments in molecular and quantitative genetics. Our current workforce of 8, most of whom have PhDs, is planned to increase to 12 next year."
The Xelect genetic technology is the result of extensive scientific research into the physiology and development of fish muscle and the genes regulating these processes. The company has identified genetic variants that are linked with a higher density of muscle fibres in the flesh, which allows faster growth rates while maintaining firm fillet quality. Xelect is also providing Cermaq access to its full range of other carcass quality trait markers.
Based in British Columbia, Cermaq Canada is part of the Cermaq group, which is wholly owned by the Mitsubishi Corporation. They emphasise a focus on quality and sustainability from egg to plate, and operate a selective breeding programme that drives steady gains in growth, survival and low early maturation.
