From drawing board to dining table: the success story of the GIFT project

As compared to crops and livestock, the genetic enhancement of fish is in its infancy. While significant progress has been achieved in the genetic improvement of temperate fish such as salmonids, no efforts were made until the late 1980s for the genetic improvement of tropical finfish, which account for about 90 percent of global aquaculture production. This paper traces the history of the Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) project initiated in 1988 by the WorldFish Center and its partners for the development of methods for genetic enhancement of tropical finfish using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a test species. It also describes the impacts of the project on the adoption of these methods for other species and the dissemination of improved breeds in several countries in Asia and the Pacific.GIFT, Tilapia culture, WorldFish Center, Genetics Oreochromis Niloticus

Fish genetics research in member countries and institutions of the International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture: Proceedings of the Fifth Steering Committee Meeting of INGA

A conference proceedings of the Fifth Steering Committee Meeting of the International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture (INGA), this publication incorporates information drawn from aquaculture genetics research undertaken or in progress in member countries and associate member institutions of INGA. The papers in this publication examine progress in aquaculture genetics research in developing countries and identify areas for possible collaboration between institutions in developing and developed countries towards developing better breeds of fish that can contribute to increased production and food security while ensuring the conservation of aquatic biodiversity.Fishery resources, Genetics, INGA, Information networks, ICLARM, SEAFDEC, FAO, Bangladesh, China, Cote d'Ivoire, Egypt, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Malawi, Malaysia, Philippines, Thailand, Viet Nam, Israel, UK, Netherlands,

The status of introduced carp species in Asia

Introduced species, Asia, Cyprinidae

Threatened cyprinid species in Asia

Rare species, Asia, Cyprinidae

Development of aquatic animal genetic improvement and dissemination programs : current status and action plans

Aquatic animals, Breeding, Genetics, Fish

Use of genetically improved and alien species for aquaculture and conservation of aquatic biodiversity in Africa

Aquaculture species are being domesticated and improved through genetic enhancement. Despite the benefits of improved fish in terms of increased production, there are risks associated with conservation of biodiversity when the introduced strains/species escape in natural waters. This is especially important in Africa which is one of the worldÆs repository of diverse freshwater fish fauna and home to native tilapias. This proceedings is a useful tool in bringing awareness among African institutions, agencies, planners of the issues involved in improving production through introductions of improved strains/alien species while sustaining the biodiversity.Aquaculture, Tilapia, Selective breeding, Brood stocks, Biodiversity, Quarantine regulations, Introduced species, Resource conservation, Africa,

Public-private partnerships in aquaculture: a case study on tilapia research and development

In Philippines, Nile tilapia is the second most important food fish for domestic consumption, next to milkfish. Genetic improvement research for this species has progressed significantly. Public sector institutions that have played a primary role in development of improved strains of the species have also worked on sustaining the genetic quality of stocks. They have ensured that the improved stocks are disseminated commercially for the benefit of more fishfarmers. However, in view of the enormous and complex resource requirements, there is tremendous challenge for the public sector institutions to sustain the cost of long-term genetic improvement and commercialization of the improved seed from the national breeding programs. In the crop sector, such a situation has encouraged the public sector institutions to involve the private sector as a partner in breeding programs and commercialization of the products. In the case of fish, a similar trend is now emerging. In Philippines, there is an increasing private sector participation in the production and dissemination of improved tilapias.Genetics, Research, Philippines, Oreochromis niloticus

Impact pathway analysis for research planning: the case of aquatic resources research in the WorldFish Center

In line with its mandate of poverty reduction and sustainable development, the WorldFish Center is orienting its research towards high impact scientific activity. Identifying such activities is the task of prospective impact assessment, in turn based on impact pathway analysis. The paper describes a framework for analyzing benefits from aquatic resources research, the relevant research categories, pathways to impact by category, and indicators along each pathway that can be estimated in order to quantify probable research impact

Aquaculture genetics research and issues in INGA member countries/institutions

The information presented here is extracted from the presentations and discussions at the Sixth Steering Committee Meeting of the International Network on Genetics in Aquaculture (INGA) held in Hanoi, Vietnam on 8-10 May 2001. The main topics discussed were: review of genetics research progress and planned activities in member countries and Associate Member institutions; genetics improvement technologies; strategies and action plans for distribution of improved fish breeds to small-scale farmers; ecological risk assessment for genetically improved fish breeds; methods for monitoring the uptake of improved strains and impact assessment; and network activities and collaborations

From drawing board to dining table: the success story of the GIFT project

As compared to crops and livestock, the genetic enhancement of fish is in its infancy. While significant progress has been achieved in the genetic improvement of temperate fish such as salmonids, no efforts were made until the late 1980s for the genetic improvement of tropical finfish, which account for about 90 percent of global aquaculture production. This paper traces the history of the Genetic Improvement of Farmed Tilapia (GIFT) project initiated in 1988 by the WorldFish Center and its partners for the development of methods for genetic enhancement of tropical finfish using Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as a test species. It also describes the impacts of the project on the adoption of these methods for other species and the dissemination of improved breeds in several countries in Asia and the Pacific