An international team of scientists from B.C., Chile and Norway has fully mapped the genome of Atlantic salmon, paving the way for improved management of wild stocks in the aquaculture industry.
The International Cooperation to Sequence the Atlantic Salmon Genome (ICSASG), which spearheaded the research, said June 10 the breakthrough would act as a reference to sequencing genomes of Pacific salmon and rainbow trout.
“We can use the genome sequence to understand what makes a fish a healthy and fit fish,” said Rachael Ritchie, director of business development at Genome B.C.
“This will provide a tool for us to use to make sure what we’re doing (at hatcheries) is as good as it can be.”
She added the breakthrough would improve understanding of proper fish nutrition, the species’ immunity system and best breeding habits.
The research, which ICSASG conducted through a partnership between Genome B.C. and scientific organizations in Chile and Norway, cost $10 million and took more than four years to complete.
