Optimalisering: VIRGIN salmon- a sustainable solution for coexistence but not mixing of farmed and wild salmon strains

Salmon farming is a major industry in Norway, with an annual value over forty billion. A bottleneck in the salmon farming industry is the crossing of escaped farmed salmon with wild populations. To solve this problem, the industry use sterile salmon in production. Sterile salmon is currently produced through triploidisation of salmon embryos. But triploid salmon are generally more sensitive to suboptimal production environment leading to several welfare problems in fish. Therefore, the food authority has been very critical to this production method. As previously shown by our research group, we can make sterile salmon by preventing the formation of germ cells. In this project, we have created a genetically sterile broodstock fish with germ cells, which in turn can produce 100% sterile offspring for production. This approach solves the problems of genetic introgression and premature maturation in farmed salmon and ensures stable production of 100% sterile fish, and thus represents a significant commercial potential. Since this type of salmon is produced through targeted mutations, they are with the current legislation considered to genetically modified organisms (GMO) in Norway and EU. In some countries, such as Argentina, Brasil, Paraguay and Chile, Japan and Australia the definition of GMOs have been revised and fish subjected to the type of genetic editing described in this project will not be considered GMOs. It is expected that similar regulatory changes the will happen in other countries soon, including in Norway, where currently a more modern GMO legislation is soon to be evaluated. The commercial potential of developing a new method to produce sterile salmon is great since it will solve some of the key challenges in salmon farming. Potential customers for this product are breeding companies that wants improved methods to produce sterile salmon. The Norwegian salmon farming industry can have an annual saving of more than 1 billion from project.

Vi har i VIRGIN prosjektet klart å lage kjønnsceller i fisk som har arvelige mutasjoner som resulterer i mangel på kjønnsceller. Vi har videre sett at fisk med høye mutasjonrater i dette genet, kan gå i kjønnsmodning, produsere avkom, og ta mutasjonene videre i neste generasjon. Vi har søkt om to patenter på VIRGIN fisken som er genetisk steril fisk som har kjønnsceller; GB 1912491.6 og GB 2004870.8.Patentene dekker både produksjonsmetoden og selve den sterile laksen, og det første patentet er nå i nasjonal fase. Vi har videre fått formidlet interesse fra flere lakseprodusenter. Kombinasjonen av genetisk sterilitet og andre genredigeringer som bedrer fiskevelferd, er svært interessant for industriaktørene vi har vært i dialog med. Åpenhet om genredigert steril laks har bidratt til en viktig og balansert debatt rundt genredigering. For mange er nettopp sterilitet en viktig forutsetning for å hindre utilsiktet spredning av genredigerte organismer til omgivelsene (bevare villaksen).

Salmon farming is a key industry in Norway, with first hand value above forty billion NOK per year.The salmon industry is a major driving force for biotechnological applications in the marine sector. One major bottleneck in the salmon farming industry is the genetic impact of escaped farmed salmon on wild populations. To solve this problem, the industry can use sterile salmon in production. Sterile salmon are currently produced by triploidisation of salmon embryos. However, triploid salmon are generally more sensitive to suboptimal rearing environments making them prone to deformities.Therefore the Norwegian Food authorities has in some cases been very Critical to this Production Method. As previously shown by our research group, we can make sterile salmon by preventing formation of germ cells. The VIRGIN salmon idea presented here describes our strategy to rescue broodstock fish from losing their germ cells, while ensuring that these broodstock fish produce 100% sterile offspring. This approach solves the problems with genetic introgression, precocious maturation and ensures a stable production of genetic breeds, and thus represents a significant commercial potential. Since these sterile salmon are produced by targeted editing of their genome, they are currently considered a genetically modified organism (GMO). and are thus banned from food production in Norway. In some countries like Sweeden,the definition of GMO has been revised and fish subject to the type of Genetic editing described in this Project would not be considered GMO. The commercial potential in developing a new method for production of sterile salmon is large as it will solve some of the major challenges in salmon farming. Breeding companies are demanding improved methods for production of sterile salmon and are potential customers. Licensing or sales of IPR are realistic business models. The Norwegian salmon farming industry may have annual savings for more than 1 billion NOK.