The worldwide demand for seafood products continues to increase and as a consequence aquaculture is now the fastest growing global food sector per annum. Hatchery based production allows for genetic improvement of fish and shellfish species through selective breeding in order to meet the demand of the consumer. Identification of the parents is essential to this process.
Genomnz™ is working with New Zealand’s burgeoning aquaculture industry, conducting parentage testing on several species of finfish and shellfish in collaboration with NIWA and other New Zealand research institutions. Working with the domestic aquaculture industry has also led to interest from overseas markets, including Iceland and Australia.
Genomnz™ has been contracted to develop microsatellite based DNA tests for both finfish and shellfish species. Using a combination of published markers and/or microsatellites identified from whole genome sequencing data, we developed a series of species-specific microsatellite multiplexes. These marker panels are being used for parentage assignment and genetic relatedness studies.
We are able to process a variety of aquaculture sample types. See our sample types page for more information.
Commercial Tests
In addition to collaborative work, Genomnz™ also offers commercial 
DNA parentage testing to the wider Aquaculture Industry. Our microsatellite multiplex assays include marker panels for:
- Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
- Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar)
- Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha)
- Green lipped mussels (Perna canaliculus)
- Other finfish and shellfish species
Parentage Testing
The uptake of DNA Parentage testing is beneficial for hatchery breeding programs for a number of reasons. Testing allows us to:
- Understand the effect of the environment on shellfish and fish breeding programs by being able to rear families together from fertilisation
- Evaluate genetic gain through Breeding Values which enables selection of the most productive and fastest growing families for breeding.
- Solve unknown parentage where it is difficult to determine mating pairings
- Selective breeding
Parentage analysis can be used in a variety of mating scenarios.
Pedigree Verification – involves matching a family to a known sire and dam.
Mix and Match – the analysis is used to test against several sire/dam combinations or for matching a family to sire dam combinations where the sex of the parent is not always known.
Applications
Potential applications of DNA technology in the aquaculture industry include:
- Stock strain identification
- Estimation of genetic variation
- Screening for markers for production traits
- Individual identification
- Reseeding programmes, genetic enhancement, breeding programmes
Please see our sample submission page for information about submitting aquaculture samples for any of the above services or to download our submission form.