The researchers informed that the new gene will controls the fish’s susceptibility to infectious pancreatic necrosis (IPN), a viral disease which ahs cost Norwegian aquaculture great losses. Aqua Gen has discovered the gene saying this significant breakthrough in molecular research will aid productivity and profits for the aquaculture industry, as a result of fewer losses and better fish welfare. It also informed that the technology has already been implemented in the company’s practical selective breeding.
The company also said that it has plans to expand the research to include other important viral diseases, such as pancreas disease (PD). According to the company the IPN has caused immense loss in the Norwegian aquaculture industry and so Aqua Gen started the experiment against this disease in 1997.
Thomas Moen, AKVAFORSK, the project leader, said the investigations have identified key markers on the salmons’ chromosomes which make it possible to identify IPN resistance directly in the fish by means of DNA analysis. According to him the genetic information has been identified that can explains about 70 percent of the genetic variation.
The breeding stocks were selected for Aqua Gen’s robust lineage and this will be used to produce eggs for the aquaculture industry in the next generation.
