Scots firm lands king salmon deal
Xelect has signed a four-year deal to provide the genetic breeding programme management for the world’s largest producer of king (Chinook) salmon.
New Zealand King Salmon, which annually produces about 6,500 tonnes of its ?ra King strain, have chosen the Scottish firm after an extensive worldwide search. Based in St Andrews, Xelect is well known internationally for its expertise and research into flesh quality and employs a strong team of fish biologists and geneticists who specialise in genetic selection (not to be confused with GM).
“Over the 4 years we will use the latest selective breeding techniques and quantitative genetics to drive balanced gains in a variety of production traits. We undertake all the lab work in our brand new private lab in St Andrews,” Dr Tom Ashton, Operations director at Xelect, told Fish Farming Expert.
The deal marks another milestone in the Scottish firm’s international growth.
Dr Ashton continues: “Xelect has now licensed selection markers to some of the leading names in the Atlantic salmon and tilapia farming industries. We have active research projects involving genome re-sequencing, SNP chip design and genotyping by sequencing in several species of finfish and molluscs.
“We are currently providing long-term genetic support to some of the most innovative companies in the sector and can now add the largest Chinook salmon producer in the world [NZ King Salmon] to the largest sea bass and sea bream producer in the Mediterranean [Selonda, in Greece].”
Xelect will provide a complete package of support to the New Zealand company’s breeding programme. Professor Ian Johnston, CEO of Xelect Ltd, said in a press release: “The pristine environment and lack of disease in New Zealand waters, coupled with a well-established breeding programme provides exciting opportunities to further enhance the quality of this unique product.”
New Zealand King Salmon broodstock manager, Rene Contreras, added: “We’re excited about the potential for the new partnership with Xelect. Following a comprehensive review of laboratories and services around the world, Xelect stood out for their experience, professionalism and scientific approach that is essential for our business to continue the development of our premium breed programme, delivering our unique Ora King salmon.”
