Mating designs that realise genomic potential in aquaculture

Aquaculture species possess great flexibility with respect to the mating designs that can be employed. Many ad-hoc approaches have been attempted to improved mating designs, but (1) the underlying theory of what is an optimal design is lacking, and (2) th ese approaches stem from the pre-genomics era of animal and fish breeding. Yet, literature shows that designed matings can increase genetic improvement by >20% implying >30 mNOK extra profit per yr. In the post genomics era, mating designs do not only nee d to improve the possibilities for the selection of superior individuals, but also need to provide an efficient statistical design for the estimation of gene and/or marker effects. Detailed, high density marker genotyping does not help if the estimates of the marker effects are inaccurate due to an inappropriate design. In this project we will develop theory for the optimal design of mating plans. In combination with the theory for optimal selection, this will lead to a unifying theory for the selection a nd mating in selective breeding plans. The theoretical developments will be in the light of making best use of dense genomic information, and management of the genomic structure of the population. The project consists also of a practical part, with a clos e involvement of industry to ensure that the entire path from theory to application will be covered, and where novel developments and existing mating designs are tested and compared. The novel technologies, i.e. dense genomic information and management of the genomic structure of the population, will be applied in situations where there is much (family based mating) or little control over the matings (mass-spawning based mating). The development of efficient mass-spawning selective breeding programs is of great benefit to aquaculture production of species with limited control over the reproduction cycle.