Breeding and genetics
Breeding involves systematically building on an animal’s preferred beneficial genetic characteristics.
In fish and shellfish farming, breeding is important for increasing food-production output and improving the health and well-being of the species.
At Nofima, we use our expertise in applied breeding programmes in Norway and abroad to breed species such as salmon, lumpfish, Pacific shrimp and European sea bass.
Examples of the methods we use are quantitative genetics, genome selection and gene editing. To address complex challenges, we often draw on the expertise available in the areas of fish health, production biology and nutrition. We investigate how high-tech breeding techniques can prevent disease and parasites, promote rapid growth and improve the fillet quality of important farmed species.