2010/768 Broodstock and genetic management for Southern Bluefin Tuna (SBT) and Yellowtail Kingfish (YTK)

By Abigail Elizur

This project aimed to maximize genetic gain for growth and conformity and minimize inbreeding within the constraints of current commercial operations at Cleanseas Tuna. The plan was to "cut the coat according to the cloth", the coat being a cost effective breeding program and the cloth being current commercial operations. The other intention was to try and deliver commercial return and value from the genetic selection for weight as soon as possible and within the lifespan of this CRC project, either by culling poor broodstock or by selecting on F1 and F2 progeny.

They were able to develop a genetic selection and breeding program that resulted in all production based on F2 fish from selected F1 parents. The F2 fish out-perform the wild stock both in growth and in FCR in tank trials by about 10%. F3 offspring should be available in a year or two and should be 20% improved in terms of growth over the offspring of wild fish. A YTK breeding plan was implemented with expected genetic gains in culture performance of fish produced in the 2013-4 season of $1,000,000 /1000 ton.